Radiology for horses involves the use of imaging techniques to diagnose and monitor various conditions affecting equine health. These techniques include X-rays, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Each modality provides different types of information, aiding in the evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory issues, and abdominal problems, among others. Radiographic imaging is instrumental in identifying fractures, joint abnormalities, and dental issues. Ultrasound is often used for soft tissue evaluation and reproductive assessments. CT and MRI offer detailed cross-sectional images, enhancing the understanding of complex anatomical structures and pathologies. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the applications, advancements, and findings in the field of equine radiology.
Every LJ, Hostnik ET, Hostnik LD, Yardley J, Shore-Khirallah AT, Thompson A, Linn SC.Tracheal collapse in horses is reportedly uncommon; however, American Miniature Horses are more commonly affected. There is no description of the tracheal luminal diameter of American Miniature Horses, making early detection of tracheal luminal narrowing difficult. Objective: To 1) describe radiographic tracheal luminal diameter in clinically normal American Miniature Horses, 2) report the prevalence of subclinical tracheal collapse in a population of American Miniature Horses, and 3) use tracheal videofluoroscopy to quantify variation in tracheal luminal diameter throughout the respiratory c...
Rahmani V, Häyrinen L, Kareinen I, Ruohoniemi M.The progression of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) has not been completely evaluated, and currently, the only effective treatment is extraction of severely affected teeth. We aim to describe how the disease relates to the history and clinical findings and to report on the outcome in individual horses. This case series comprises data collected from 20 horses (age 14-29 years old) with radiographic findings of EOTRH in their incisor and/or canine teeth. Most horses affected with EOTRH in this study were admitted for dental problems, but some for other complaints...
Pritchard A, Spooner H, Hoffman R.Furosemide is used to reduce the incidence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in racehorses. Previous research suggests furosemide negatively impacts calcium balance, which may have long-term implications for bone health. Eleven healthy horses, either control (CON, n = 5) or treatment (FUR, n = 6), were used to test furosemide's effects on bone mineral content (BMC), bone metabolism biomarkers, and weight loss after administration. Treatment horses received IV furosemide at 1 mg⋅kg BW once weekly for seven weeks, and blood was collected before and at 24 hours after administration f...
Smith R, Parsons J, Dixon J.Desmopathy of the collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint is a common cause of equine foot lameness and carries a poor prognosis with conservative management. Intralesional injections may improve healing, although accuracy of radiographically guided injections is significantly less than when guided by MRI, which requires special needles. Longitudinal ultrasound-guided injection of the distal collateral ligament has not been evaluated objectively. In this prospective, anatomic study, seven equine cadaver limbs (14 collateral ligaments) were injected with methylene blue dye and ...
Seghrouchni M, Elkasraoui H, Piro M, Alyakine H, Bouayad H, Chakir J, Tligui N, Elallali K, Azrib R.Tbourida is a traditional Moroccan equestrian sport in which 15 horses gallop 200 m in a line while riders fire into the sky with muskets. The stop is the finale and representative demands of this equestrian event. Such particular sudden stop after a fast gallop requires a hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal joint. Indeed, it is well known that Tbourida show predisposes horses to different injuries of the hard and soft tissues of the distal forelimbs. Yet, there is a paucity of research that examined such lesions. The aim of the present study was to investigate for the first time the typ...
Carmalt KP, Carmalt JL, Henderson K, Allen AL, Wilson DG.To determine the holding capacity of a 5.5-mm-diameter cortical bone screw when placed in the third phalanx (P3) of horses and assess whether screw placement through the dorsal hoof wall into P3 would be tolerated by clinically normal horses and would alleviate signs of pain and prevent P3 rotation in horses with oligofructose-induced laminitis. Methods: 40 limbs from 10 equine cadavers and 19 clinically normal adult horses. Methods: In part 1 of a 3-part study, a 5.5-mm-diameter cortical bone screw was inserted by use of a lag-screw technique through the dorsal hoof wall midline into P3 of 40...
Haussler KK, Pool RR, Clayton HM.The objectives of this observational, cross-sectional study were to characterize and establish the prevalence of osseous proliferation of articular surfaces, joint margins and adjacent soft tissue attachments (i.e., joint capsule and deep spinal muscles) in a mixed population of horses of variable ages, sizes, and breeds to better capture the full spectrum of disease affecting the cervical articular processes. Cranial and caudal articular processes of the cervical and first three thoracic vertebrae (C2-T3) from 55 horses without a primary complaint of neck pain were evaluated for the presence ...
Martin-Giménez T, Cruz AM, Barragán A, Montero E, Sanchez PG, Caballero G, Corradini I.Occipital condylar fractures (OCFs) causing delayed onset lower cranial nerve paralysis (LCNPs) are rare. We present a 7-year-old Friesian horse with delayed onset dysphagia caused by vagus nerve (CNX) paralysis and suspicion of glossopharyngeal nerve (CNIX) paralysis developed several days after a minor head injury. Endoscopic examination revealed right laryngeal hemiplegia and intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate. An area of submucosal hemorrhage and bulging was appreciated over the dorsal aspect of the medial compartment of the right guttural pouch. Radiological examination o...
Kent AV, Chesworth MJ, Wells G, Gerdes C, Bladon BM, Smith RKW, Fiske-Jackson AR.Pathology of the digital flexor tendon sheath is a significant cause of lameness in the horse. Imaging is important to identify lesions and inform on prognosis prior to tenoscopic surgery. Objective: To use a large population to evaluate 1) the sensitivity and specificity of digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) contrast radiographs in diagnosing manica flexoria (MF) tears, deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) tears and constriction of the palmar/plantar annular ligament (PAL) using novel criteria; 2) predisposition to pathology in signalment and limb affected. Methods: Multicentre retrospective co...
To evaluate the etiology of skeletal changes noted in equid vertebrae from a 19- century context near Belgrade, Serbia. A vertebral column consisting of 15 fused thoracic vertebrae (T2-T16), with right ribs fused to T4 and T5 and small remnants of ribs articulating with T4, T5 and T6 on the left side were accidentally recovered during industrial exploitation of sand. The specimen was subjected to morphological analysis and collagen fingerprinting by mass spectrometry for species identification. In order to determine the absolute temporal context, radiocarbon dating was employed. Pathological c...
Trager LR, Funk RA, Clapp KS, Dahlgren LA, Werre SR, Hodgson DR, Pleasant RS.Although extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a common treatment for horses with back pain, effects on mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) and multifidus muscle cross sectional area (CSA) in the spine are unknown. Objective: To evaluate effects of ESWT on spinal MNT and multifidus muscle CSA in horses with thoracolumbar pain. Methods: Non-randomised trial. Methods: Thoracolumbar spines of 12 horses with thoracolumbar pain were radiographed to document existing pathology. Each horse received three ESWT treatments, 2 weeks apart (days 0, 14, 28). Palpation scores were documented (days ...
Magri C, Schramme M, Febre M, Cauvin E, Labadie F, Saulnier N, François I, Lechartier A, Aebischer D, Moncelet AS, Maddens S.The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of single and repeated intra-articular administration of allogeneic, umbilical cord-derived, neonatal mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in horses with lameness due to osteoarthritis (OA) of a metacarpophalangeal joint (MPJ). Twenty-eight horses were included. Horses were divided into two groups. Horses in group MSC1 received an MSC injection at M0 and a placebo injection at M1 (1 month after M0). Horses in group MSC2 received MSC injections at M0 and at M1. Joint injections were performed with a blinded syringe. Clinical assessment w...
Skov Hansen S, Tóth T.To report the frequency of radiocarpal joint (RCJ) perforation during two proximolateral carpal sheath (CS) approaches and to investigate whether the presence or absence of a natural communication between the RCJ and CS. Methods: Experimental, randomized, controlled study. Methods: Twelve adult horses and 12 cadaver front limbs. Methods: Proximolateral CS tenoscopy was performed on both carpi of 12 horses under general anaesthesia. Limbs were randomly assigned into two groups. In group 1, the instrument portal was centered at the level of the distal radial physeal remnant (PR). In group 2, the...
Bryner MF, Hoey SE, Montavon S, Fürst AE, Kümmerle JM.To determine long term outcomes of nonracing equines athletes treated for short incomplete proximal sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx (SIPSFP1) by lag screw fixation. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Thirty-one horses. Methods: Medical records from horses with an SIPSFP1 (2008-2014) were reviewed. Long-term (≥12 months) outcomes were assessed with telephone interviews and clinical and radiographic examinations. Results: Warmblood was the predominant breed in cases included in the study. Among horses with long-term interview information, 27 of 31 returned to previous athletic...
Baldwin CM, Smith MRW, Allen S, Wright IM.Slab fractures of the third carpal bone (C3) are a common injury of Thoroughbred racehorses. Results of arthroscopically guided repair have not been reported since the initial description of the technique in 1986. Additionally, fracture details and racing outcomes in a population of Thoroughbreds racing under UK jurisdiction have not previously been described. Objective: To report the frequency distribution of C3 slab fractures and to determine the impact on racing performance following arthroscopically guided repair in a population of Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Retrospective case serie...
Szklarz M, Lipinska A, Slowikowska M, Niedzwiedz A, Marycz K, Janeczek M.Cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM) remains one of the most important abnormalities of the cervical spine resulting in neurological deficits in horses. The aim of the following study was to compare the results of the clinical and neurological examination, the results of myelography and the post mortem anatomical and histological appearance of the spinal cord and cervical vertebrae in a horse with CVSM. Methods: The following study describes a clinical case of an eight-month-old stallion with ataxia. Plain cervical radiographs indicated narrowing of the spinal canal. Conservative ther...
Bregger MDK, Koch C, Zimmermann R, Sangiorgio D, Schweizer-Gorgas D.Computed tomography in standing horses has revolutionized diagnostic imaging. The O-arm®, a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanner with a gantry opening of 96.5 cm is routinely used for image-guided spine and neurosurgery in humans. The aim of this study is to describe the set-up and first experiences using the O-arm® to achieve CBCT imaging of the head in standing horses. CT imaging of the predefined region of interest (ROI) was tested on 2 cadaveric heads, concentrating on centering issues within the gantry, as well as determining the number of scans needed per ROI. All horses pres...
Dubuc J, Da Silveira EA.A 3-week old Hanoverian foal was presented with bilateral moderate to severe carpal valgus. The deviations were 10 and 14 degrees, respectively for the left and right carpi and orthogonal radiographs of both front limbs highlighted bilateral persistent ulnar remnants. A partial resection of the ulnar remnants and periosteal transection on the disto-lateral aspect of the radius were performed bilaterally under general anesthesia. The valgus deviations began to improve within the first month and the limbs were almost straight (2 degrees for the left and right carpi) 5 1/2 months after surgery. T...
Szulakowski M, Mageed M, Steinberg T, Winter K, Gerlach K.Dental disorders are one of the top-ranking clinical domains in equine practice. Scintigraphy has emerged as a useful diagnostic imaging modality for equine dental diseases. There is a paucity of the normal scintigraphic uptake and its correlation with age. This prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive and pilot-designed study aimed to describe the radioisotope uptake (RU) patterns of the reserved crown and periodontal bone of the maxillary and mandibular cheek teeth (CT) in clinically sound horses and to evaluate the age effect on RU. For this purpose, 60 horses that underwent a bone scintig...
Schulze N, Ehrle A, Weller R, Fritsch G, Gernhardt J, Ben Romdhane R, Lischer C. Surgical fusion of vertebral segments is a treatment option for horses with cervical stenotic myelopathy or cervical fracture.Degenerative disease affecting adjacent vertebral segments is a reported complication following surgical vertebral fusion in other species, termed adjacent segment disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of cervical vertebral fusion on the biomechanics of adjacent vertebral segments in the horse. Methods: Neck specimens of 12 horses were assessed using computed tomographic imaging. Range of motion (ROM) was determined by measuring the maximum sag...
Beaulieu A, Linden AZ, Phillips J, Arroyo LG, Koenig J, Monteith G.In the equine racehorse industry, reduced athletic performance due to joint injury and lameness has been extensively reviewed. Intra-articular injections of glucocorticoids are routinely used to relieve pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. Intra-articular injections of pharmaceutical agents require practice for precise needle placement and to minimize complications. Training on simulators or models is a viable alternative for developing these technical skills. The purpose of this study was to compare the qualitative ultrasonographic characteristics of three-dimensional (3D) pr...
Morgan RE, Fiske-Jackson AR, Hellige M, Gerhauser I, Wohlsein P, Biggi M.Odontogenic tumors present as locally invasive, slow growing, firm swellings on the face. They are rare in all species and are characterized histologically by the degree of differentiation and dental tissue of origin. Radiographic appearance is not pathognomonic for these lesions. Computed tomographic (CT) examination allows exact determination of tumor extension and aggressiveness. The objectives of this retrospective, case series study were to describe the clinical presentation, CT characteristics, and outcome in horses with histologically confirmed odontogenic tumors, and to identify imagin...
Graham RJTY, Rosanowski SM, McILWRAITH CW.Osteochondral fragmentation of the carpus is a common cause of lameness in racehorses. Prognosis following arthroscopic removal of the fragments was reported in 1987, but little is known of recent success rates. Objective: To identify associations between the severity and location of osteochondral fragments in the carpus, and to describe the racing performance of horses pre- and post-surgery in Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. To identify factors associated with a horse racing post-surgery. Methods: Retrospective study of clinical records (2006-2016). Methods: Surgical and racing records for ...
Prisk AJ, García-López JM.To determine the long-term return to performance of horses with impinging and/or overriding dorsal spinous processes (ORDSP) treated with interspinous ligament desmotomy (ISLD) and to determine the prognostic value of radiographic and scintigraphic grades. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Seventy-one horses with ORDSP treated with ISLD. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for signalment, physical examination, gait evaluation, and number of interspinous spaces treated. Preoperative radiographic and scintigraphic images were evaluated with grading scales. Follow-up was obtained with a t...
Argüelles D, Saitua A, de Medina AS, Muñoz JA, Muñoz A.Navicular syndrome, a common cause of equine forelimb lameness, is associated with pathological changes in the navicular bone. Consequently, administration of bisphosphonates (BPs) has been advocated in order to modify the rate of bone turnover. The present study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of intramuscularly administered clodronic acid for the treatment of 11 horses with clinical and radiographic findings compatible with navicular syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 5 of the 11 horses. The animals were treated with an intramuscular dose of clodronic acid of 765 m...
Fradinho MJ, Mateus L, Bernardes N, Bessa RJB, Caldeira RM, Ferreira-Dias G.Development of a healthy musculoskeletal system is of high concern for horse breeders and users. A longitudinal field study was performed in order to: (i) evaluate growth patterns and long-term changes on bone quality, bone metabolism, growth factors and metabolic variables in the Lusitano horse; and (ii) retrospectively assess whether these changes were related with radiographic findings regarding osteochondrosis-like lesions (OC) at the onset of training. Thirty-four Lusitano foals born and raised at four stud-farms, were periodically weighed (BW), and measured (withers height-WH) from birth...
Mereu M, Hawkes C, Cuddy LC, Perez Olmos JF, Pazzola M, McNally TP.To describe a dorsoproximal midline (DPM) standing technique for proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) injection and to compare it to established dorsolateral flexed (DLF), palmaroproximal (PP), and dorsolateral standing (DLS) techniques. Methods: Ex vivo study. Methods: Sixty cadaver equine thoracic limbs. Methods: Limbs were divided into four groups (n = 15 each group), DLF, DPM, PP, and DLS. For each technique, three operators injected radiopaque contrast and methylene blue into the PIPJ in five limbs. The number of attempts required was recorded. Successful injection was confirmed by radio...
Heales CJ, Summers IR, Fulford J, Knapp KM, Winlove CP.The aetiology of bone marrow oedema-like abnormalities (BMOA) seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is as yet not fully understood. The current study aimed to investigate the potential of projection radiography and Raman microspectroscopy to provide information regarding the underlying physiological changes associated with BMOA in equine bone samples. Methods: MRI was used to assess 65 limbs from 43 horses. A subset of 13 limbs provided 25 samples, 8 with BMOA present and 17 as controls; these were examined with projection radiography to assess bone mineral density and Raman spectroscopy to...
Manso-Díaz G, García-López JM, López-Sanromán J, Taeymans O.To provide a comprehensive anatomical description of the normal equine nasolacrimal duct using magnetic resonance imaging, and to develop a practical protocol for performing magnetic resonance dacryocystography (MRD) in horses. Methods: The heads of ten fresh horse cadavers with no history of sinonasal or ophthalmologic disorders were used for this study. Methods: An MRD technique was developed in this study, which consisted of two parts. In the first part, olive oil and gadolinium were compared as contrast medium, using five horses. Two concentrations of gadolinium were used: 0.25 mmol/mL an...
Lévéille R, Hardy J, Robertson JT, Willis AM, Beard WL, Weisbrode SE, Lepage OM.To develop a transarterial coil embolization technique for occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA), external carotid artery (ECA), and maxillary arteries (MA) in normal horses and to evaluate this technique for prevention of hemorrhage in horses affected with guttural pouch mycosis. Methods: Ten adult, normal horses and 4 horses with guttural pouch mycosis. Methods: All horses had transarterial coil embolization of the rostral and caudal ICA, caudal MA, and rostral ECA. In 1 affected horse, an aberrant actively bleeding branch of the ECA was also occluded. Normal horses had a premortem ...
Ostrowska J, Lindström L, Tóth T, Hansson K, Uhlhorn M, Ley CJ.Computed tomography (CT) is commonly used to investigate equine paranasal sinus disease, however, only limited information is available in the literature about the detailed CT appearance of equine paranasal sinus cysts. Objective: To investigate if paranasal sinus cysts have specific characteristics in CT images that allow differentiation from other sinus diseases. Methods: Retrospective observational study. Methods: Evaluation and comparison of CT studies of eight horses with surgically and/or histopathologically confirmed paranasal sinus cysts and 10 horses with other confirmed paranasal sin...
Byam-Cook KL, Singer ER.Despite the possibility that sound horses may have radiographic signs consistent with osteoarthritis of the small tarsal joints (OA-STJ), a diagnosis of 'bone spavin' as a cause of lameness is often made based only on radiographic examination. Objective: To determine whether severity of radiographic change and response to treatment are correlated with the duration and degree of lameness and the response to intraarticular anaesthesia in horses with OA-STJ. Methods: A retrospective study of all horses that showed a positive response to intra-articular anaesthesia of the STJ was performed. Detail...
Arble JB, Mattoon JS, Drost WT, Weisbrode SE, Wassenaar PA, Pan X, Hunt RJ, Belknap JK.Equine laminitis is a severely debilitating disease. There is a poor understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, and traditional imaging modalities have limited diagnostic capacity. High field strength magnetic resonance (MR) imaging allows direct visualization of the laminae, which other modalities do not. This would prove useful both in assessment of clinical patients and in further investigation into the pathophysiology of the disease. The objective of this study was to characterize the anatomic changes within the equine foot associated with the initial active stage of laminitis. Image...
Dyson S.Proximal suspensory desmitis of the hindlimb was diagnosed using local analgesic techniques and ultrasonography in 42 horses. Subtarsal analgesia resulted in substantial improvement in lameness in 36 of 41 horses in which local analgesic techniques were used. In the remaining five horses lameness was improved by perineural analgesia of the tibial nerve (three) or the tibial and fibular nerves. Intra-articular analgesia of the tarso-metatarsal joint produced a similar degree of improvement in two of 24 horses in which lameness had been improved by subtarsal analgesia. Ultrasonographic abnormali...
Brenner S, Whitcomb MB.The clinical and ultrasonographic features of seven horses with coxofemoral subluxation are presented. Affected horses included five adult geldings (11-20 years), one large pony (6 years) and a 3-month-old filly. All were lame at the walk except for the pony with grade 3/5 lameness. Lameness was acute in all horses, but three horses progressed after initial improvement. Crepitus, muscle atrophy, and pelvic asymmetry were inconsistent findings. Ultrasonographic diagnosis of subluxation required dynamic visualization of femoral head displacement from the acetabulum while placing weight on the af...
Cluzel C, Blond L, Fontaine P, Olive J, Laverty S.Adult articular cartilage (AC) has a well described multizonal collagen structure. Knowledge of foetal AC organisation and development may provide a prototype for cartilage repair strategies, and improve understanding of structural changes in developmental diseases such as osteochondrosis (OC). The objective of this study was to describe normal development of the spatial architecture of the collagen network of equine AC using 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and polarised light microscopy (PLM), at sites employed for cartilage repair studies or susceptible to OC. T2-weighted fast-spin e...
Scrivani PV, Levine JM, Holmes NL, Furr M, Divers TJ, Cohen ND.Different examiners or the same examiner were observed at different times producing slightly different results when obtaining cervical-vertebral ratios. If the difference is substantial, then measurement variability would have an important impact of radiographic interpretation. Objective: To quantify agreement and repeatability of these measurements. Methods: An observer agreement study was performed using 75 horses. Measurements were made at C3-4 and C6-7 by a board-certified radiologist and an imaging resident. Intra- and interobserver agreement was quantified using Bland-Altman plots. Repea...
van Veggel E, Selberg K, van der Velde-Hoogelander B, Bolas N, Vanderperren K, Bergman HJ. This study aims to evaluate the distribution and severity of bone and soft tissue lesions in the proximal metacarpal region of warmblood horses in lame and control groups. Correlation between lesions and ability to return to work was evaluated in the lame group. This restrospective analysis evaluated 62 horses with MRI examination of the proximal metacarpal region between Sept 2015 and Feb 2021. There were 36 lame limbs and 26 control limbs. The control group included seven contralateral limbs. Proximal suspensory ligament (PSL) size was not different between the lame and control groups. Hy...
Hoffman CJ, Clark CK.Cervical vertebral malformation (CVM) is seen in young, rapidly growing horses, and is commonly associated with a poor prognosis for racing. Objective: To examine the records of a population of Thoroughbreds with a presumptive diagnosis of CVM and to determine which radiographic findings and neurologic exam findings have an effect on these horses achieving athletic function when managed conservatively. Methods: One hundred and three thoroughbreds presumptively diagnosed with CVM and treated conservatively between 2002 and 2010. Methods: Racing records were reviewed in this retrospective study ...
Carr EA, Carlson GP, Wilson WD, Read DH.To characterize history, clinical signs, and pathologic findings in horses with histologically confirmed acute hemorrhagic pulmonary infarction and necrotizing pneumonia. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 21 horses. Results: 19 of the 21 horses were Thoroughbred racehorses in training. Eighteen horses had had strenuous exercise immediately prior to onset of illness. Fifteen horses had a serosanguineous nasal discharge during hospitalization. Seventeen horses had radiographic evidence of pulmonary consolidation and pleural effusion. Nine of 14 horses had ultrasonographic evidence of large ...
Greene DA, Naughton GA, Jander CB, Cullen SJ.Our aim was to use Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (pQCT) to assess the bone health of male and female apprentice jockeys and age- and sex-matched peers. 2 groups of 25 young adults (n=50) (age range 15-38 years) were comprised of male and female apprentice jockeys, and male and female controls. We used pQCT to measure the distal tibia and distal radius. After covarying for weight and limb length, apprentice jockeys displayed less tibial cortical area and lower strength strain index at 14% distal shaft, 38% mid shaft and 66% proximal sites measured distally than controls (p=0.001)....
Koblik PD, Freeman DM.Current clinical magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies provide almost no useful signal from normal tendon and have no clear advantage over other imaging modalities in the evaluation of tendon injuries. The authors believe that tendon MR signal may be T2-limited, and, if so, could be enhanced by short echo time (TE) pulse sequences. The relationship of tendon signal intensity and tendon infrastructure conspicuity to TE was assessed at three different field strengths. Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging studies were performed on samples of normal equine tendon at 3 different field strengths wi...
Berner D, Winter K, Brehm W, Gerlach K.Reductions in distances between dorsal spinous processes on radiographs are used as criteria for the diagnosis of impingement of the thoracic dorsal spinous processes in horses but are potentially altered by spine motion and different head and neck positions. Objective: To determine the influence of head and neck positions on intervertebral distances between dorsal spinous processes on radiographs of thoracic spines of clinically sound horses. Methods: Lateral-lateral radiographs were obtained from 23 horses in 3 head and neck positions. The width of the thoracic dorsal spinous processes and i...
Axelsson M, Björnsdottir S, Eksell P, Häggström J, Sigurdsson H, Carlsten J.The aim of this study was to evaluate potential risk factors associated with hindlimb lameness and radiographic signs of degenerative joint disease (DJD) in the distal tarsus in Icelandic horses. The material consisted of riding horses (n = 420) age 6-12 years sired by 17 selected sires representing all major breeding lines, and of riding horses (n = 194) in the same age range sired by other sires. The examination protocol included the following: interview with owners/trainers, assessment of conformation, motion evaluation and radiographic examination. At the interview, data related to factors...
Amis TC, Pascoe JR, Hornof W.The regional distribution of ventilation to perfusion ratios (VA/Q) in the lungs of 8 healthy standing Thoroughbred geldings (4.4 +/- 1.5 years, 465.7 +/- 46.6 kg) was studied, using steady-state inhalation and IV infusion of the radioactive gas krypton-81m. The VA/Q was uniformly distributed within a vertical lung strip centered over the 9th rib on the right side. Ventilation per unit of alveolar volume (V/VA) assessed from the clearance of inhaled radioactive gas in 5 horses increased from 0.49 +/- 0.13 (arbitrary units) in nondependent lung zones to 1.45 +/- 0.16 in dependent lung zones. Se...
Dierks C, Mömke S, Drögemüller C, Leeb T, Chowdhary BP, Distl O.In this study, we present a comprehensive 5000-rad radiation hybrid map of a 40-cM region on equine chromosome 4 (ECA4) that contains quantitative trait loci for equine osteochondrosis. We mapped 29 gene-associated sequence tagged site markers using primers designed from equine expressed sequence tags or BAC clones in the ECA4q12-q22 region. Three blocks of conserved synteny, showing two chromosomal breakpoints, were identified in the segment of ECA4q12-q22. Markers from other segments of HSA7q mapped to ECA13p and ECA4p, and a region of HSA7p was homologous to ECA13p. Therefore, we have impro...
Olson LE, Lai-Fook SJ.Pleural liquid pressure was measured at end expiration in 11 spontaneously breathing anesthetized ponies in the prone and supine positions. A liquid-filled capsule was implanted into a rib to measure pleural liquid pressure with minimal distortion of the pleural space (Wiener-Kronish et al., J. Appl. Physiol. 59: 597-602, 1985). Capsule position relative to lung height was measured from thoracic radiographs taken in each position. In each body position, pleural liquid pressure was most negative in the superior lung regions and least negative in the inferior lung regions. In the supine position...
Vanderperren K, Raes E, Hoegaerts M, Saunders JH.The equine tarsus is the most commonly affected hindlimb region associated with lameness. Diagnostic imaging is routinely applied but because of its complexity, being composed of 10 multifaceted bones and different joints, multiple ligaments, tendons and bursae, imaging this region can be a challenge. This is the first part of a two-part review of the structures and disorders of the equine tarsus. It describes the principal disorders affecting the soft tissues of the tarsal region and addresses some of the technical aspects in taking radiographic, ultrasonographic and scintigraphic images of t...
Smith BL, Aguilera-Tejero E, Tyler WS, Jones JH, Hornof WJ, Pascoe JR.To develop a bronchoscopic map of the equine respiratory tree, the major airways of the lungs of 6 healthy Thoroughbred horses were systematically explored with a flexible fibreoptic endoscope through a tracheostomy while the horses were sedated in stocks. With the carina as the reference point, measurements were made of distances to the branches of the major airways using markers on the shaft of the endoscope. All branches were explored until the narrowing of their diameters prevented further advancement of the endoscope. Positions of origins of branches from the parent bronchus were recorded...
Raub RH, Jackson SG, Baker JP.Nineteen weanling horses (average age = 147 d) were divided into exercised (EX; n = 10) and nonexercised (NEX; n = 9) groups, with age, sex and breed represented as equally as possible. The EX group was exercised on an automatic walker at a medium trot for up to 20 min, 5 d each week. Both groups were fed to meet 100% of their protein and 110% of their energy requirements (NRC, 1978). The EX group's diet was supplemented, on exercise days, with corn starch to meet the additional energy requirements for exercise. The experiment was conducted over a 111-d period. Body weight was measured at 10-d...
Crawford WH, Houge JC, Neirby DT, Di Mino A, Di Mino AA.The effect of pulsed radio frequency therapy (PRFT) was evaluated on seven ponies with no arthritis and in 28 ponies in which arthritis was created using intra-articular amphotericin B to induce synovitis in the right middle carpal joint. The ponies were divided into five treatment and two control groups. Two levels of arthritis were created and two dosage levels of PRFT were evaluated. The effect of PRFT on arthritic and nonarthritic joints was measured by comparing synovial fluid parameters, the degree and duration of lameness, the range of carpal motion, and carpus circumference, for treate...
Kreutzer R, Wohlsein P, Staszyk C, Nowak M, Sill V, Baumgärtner W.Cementoma is a very rare odontogenic neoplasm of mesenchymal origin. Clinically, in 3 horses, multiple bony enlargements of the upper and lower jaw extending into the oral cavity were observed. Radiographically, multiple, well-circumscribed, radiopaque masses surrounding the roots of the upper and lower incisors or an upper premolar tooth were present. Due to malocclusion and local pain, single teeth were extracted in each case. Grossly, a hard grayish-white mass surrounding the root of the incisors and the premolars was identified. Histopathologically, the tumors consisted of excessive deposi...
Cheetham J, Pigott JH, Thorson LM, Mohammed HO, Ducharme NG.The laryngeal tie-forward procedure (LTFP) is becoming widely used for correction of dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) despite the absence of an evidence-based assessment of its efficacy. Objective: The LTFP returns racing performance to preoperative baseline levels and to that of matched controls; and post operative laryngohyoid position is associated with post operative performance. Methods: Case-controlled study of racehorses undergoing a LTFP for dorsal displacement of the soft palate at Cornell University between October 2002 and June 2007. Methods: The presence of at least on...
Epperly E, Whitty JA.Computed tomography (CT) has revolutionized the veterinarian's ability to image the equine skull and led to improved diagnostic accuracy and clarity for surgical planning. The increased cost for this evaluation is offset by more accurate diagnosis and targeted therapy. As novel technology is developed that allows for increased availability of equine head, the price will continue to decrease and more examinations will be performed. New skills are needed for the veterinarian to accurately interpret this modality. This article reviews the normal CT appearance of the equine skull and presents exam...