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.
Elane GL, Biedrzycki AH, McCarrel TM, Banks SA, Morton AJ.To quantify the translation and angular rotation of the distal sesamoid bone (DSB) using computed tomography (CT) and medical modeling software. Methods: 30 thoracic limbs from equine cadavers. Methods: Partial (n = 12), full (8), and matched full and subsequently transected (10) thoracic limbs were collected. Bone volume CT images were acquired in three positions: extension (200° metacarpophalangeal angle), neutral (180°), and maximal flexion (110°). Mean translation and angular rotation of each DSB were recorded. Differences were determined with two-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's tests fo...
Stemmet GP, Robert MP, Smit Y.Sinusitis is a common occurrence in horses and often develops secondary to dental disease. Extraction of cheek teeth in horses is associated with variable degrees of complications and although postoperative displacement and retention of alveolar plugs has been identified as one such potential complication, few cases of resulting sinusitis have been reported. This manuscript describes a four-year-old Thoroughbred mare that was presented for chronic unilateral left-sided mucopurulent nasal discharge after extraction of the left maxillary second molar tooth two months earlier. Radiographic and co...
Salem M, El-Shafaey ES, Farag AMM, El-Khodery S, Al Mohamad Z, Abass M.This study was conducted to establish a detailed anatomic reference for the carpal joint of apparently healthy donkeys using ultrasonography (US), computed tomographic (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ten orthopedically sound adult donkeys were used for US examination of the carpal joint in each forelimb. Additionally, the carpi of ten donkey cadavers were subjected to CT and MRI examinations. The carpal joint was divided into four zones to simplify examination. US assessment of the carpal joint included transverse and longitudinal sonograms. CT was performed using three planes: axi...
Velásquez J, da Silva LLC, Miglino MA.There are many challenges in teaching veterinary anatomy, such as available classroom time, costs, and difficulties accessing animal cadavers, mainly due to animal welfare concerns. Furthermore, veterinary surgeons and radiologists complain that recent graduates lack anatomical knowledge. On the other hand, the current limitations of face-to-face teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic suggest that the development of online distance education tools is necessary, mainly in specialties that lack this type of material. Teaching platforms promoting the integration of anatomy with other applied disci...
Mazaheri-Khameneh R, Azizi S, Davoodi F, Gooran MM.One of the traumatic fractures occurring in the hindlimb of the foals is physeal fractures of the tibia. The most common type of proximal tibial fracture in foals is reported to be Salter-Harris type II. Methods: This case report describes the history, clinical signs, radiographic findings, and surgical management of a proximal physeal fracture of the tibia due to the kick trauma in a 2-weeks-old Kurdish female foal, with signs of left pelvic limb lameness, valgus deviation with non-weight-bearing, non-mobility in stifle region and crepitation in the affected area. In this case, radiography wa...
Garrett KS.MRI and CT have enhanced our diagnostic abilities for equine lameness beyond what is available using radiography and ultrasonography. This has allowed veterinarians to better prognosticate and treat lameness conditions, improving patient outcomes. This article discusses the basic principles behind MRI and CT, their advantages and disadvantages, the different types of equipment available for clinical use in horses, the typical diagnostic workup prior to pursuing advanced imaging, and common regions where MRI and CT are used clinically. The companion Currents in One Health by Spriet, AJVR, July ...
Cai D, Zhu S, Gong M, Zhang N, Wen J, Liang Q, Sun W, Shao X, Guo Y, Cai Y, Zheng Z, Zhang W, Hu S, Wang X, Tian H, Li Y, Liu W, Yang M, Yang J, Wu D....The exceptionally rich fossil record available for the equid family has provided textbook examples of macroevolutionary changes. Horses, asses, and zebras represent three extant subgenera of lineage, while the subgenus is another remarkable lineage ranging from North America to Ethiopia in the Pleistocene. We sequenced 26 archaeological specimens from Northern China in the Holocene that could be assigned morphologically and genetically to , a species representative of . We present the first high-quality complete genome of the lineage, which was sequenced to 13.4× depth of coverage. Radioc...
Blaettler C, Kaessmeyer S, Grabherr S, Koch C, Schweizer D, Van der Vekens E.In-depth understanding of pathophysiological processes occurring in the vasculature of the equine distal limb is of great importance to improve both diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to diseases. To gain further insights, a model allowing high-resolution 3D-visualization of the vasculature is necessary. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of restoring vascular perfusion in frozen-thawed distal equine cadaver limbs without prior preparation using computer tomographic imaging (CT). Five frozen-thawed, radiographically normal forelimbs were perfused with a lipophilic contrast agent thr...
Barton CK, Sandow CB, Rodgerson DH.To describe an arthroscopic technique for the removal of osteochondral fragments located within the condylar fossa of the third metacarpal/tarsal bone. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Thoroughbred yearlings (n = 11). Methods: Osteochondral fragments located within the condylar fossa of the third metacarpal/tarsal bone identified during presale radiographic examination were removed via arthroscopy, assisted with ultrasonography in select cases. Complete fragment removal was confirmed by intraoperative radiography. Results: Fragments were successfully removed using rongeurs following di...
Wrangberg T, Kendall A. Proper identification of healthy subjects is essential in case-control studies. However, standardized definitions of healthy controls are lacking in equine orthopaedic research. Objective: The aim of this study was to define the non-invasive methods used for selecting healthy control horses in osteoarthritis (OA), desmitis and tendinitis research. Methods: Systematic review. Case-control studies with a healthy control group and longitudinal studies where horses had to be healthy at the start were included. Studies where joints were visualized by arthroscopy or post-mortem examination ...
Garrett KS, Embertson RM, Hopper SA, Woodie JB, McQuerry KJ.To compare ultrasonographic and computed tomographic findings in neonatal foals prior to surgical repair of rib fractures as well as postoperative outcomes in foals with and without preoperative thoracic computed tomography (CT). Study design Retrospective cohort study. Sample population 43 neonatal foals undergoing surgical treatment of rib fractures between 2013 and 2021. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for age, sex, delivery method, comorbidities, presurgical anesthetic time, surgical time, number and location of fractured ribs identified with ultrasound and CT, number and location o...
Spoormakers TJP, Bergmann W, Veraa S, van Weeren PR, Brommer H.To verify the existence of intertransverse joints (ITJs) in young foals. 11 warmblood foals. Postmortem examination of the lumbar area in foals < 200 days old using CT, MRI, dissection, and histomorphology. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Age of foals varied between 1 and 200 days (median, 11 days). Ten foals had 6 lumbar (L) vertebrae, and 1 foal had 5. All 11 foals, irrespective of age, had ITJs between the first sacral and last lumbar vertebrae and between the last and second-to-last lumbar vertebrae. In 6 foals (all with 6 L vertebrae), ITJs also existed between the four...
Malek G, Leclere M, Masseau I, Zur Linden A, Beauchamp G, Finck C.Published studies describing the effects of bilateral radiographic projections on the detection of equine pulmonary lesions are currently lacking. The objectives of this retrospective, single center, observational study were to compare unilateral and bilateral thoracic radiographic projections for the detection of pulmonary lesions in a group of horses. Based on their clinical diagnosis, 167 adults and foals with bilateral thoracic radiographs were classified as having pneumonia (n = 88), inflammatory or diffuse pulmonary disease (n = 72), and pulmonary masses (n = 7). After an initial i...
Hewitt-Dedman CL, O'Neill HD, Bladon BM.To describe the removal of palmar intermediate carpal bone (ICB) fracture fragments using a transthecal approach through the carpal flexor tendon sheath. Methods: Case series. Methods: Four horses with fractures of the palmar aspect of the ICB. Methods: Two horses were injured when falling and two during recovery from general anesthesia. Three horses underwent MRI to supplement conventional imaging. Three horses had concurrent fractures of the radial and/or accessory carpal bones. Conventional proximolateral carpal sheath arthroscope and instrument portals were used, supplemented with a medial...
Górski K, Borowska M, Stefanik E, Polkowska I, Turek B, Bereznowski A, Domino M.Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) is one of the horses' dental diseases, mainly affecting the incisor teeth. An increase in the incidence of aged horses and a painful progressive course of the disease create the need for improved early diagnosis. Besides clinical findings, EOTRH recognition is based on the typical radiographic findings, including levels of dental resorption and hypercementosis. This study aimed to introduce digital processing methods to equine dental radiographic images and identify texture features changing with disease progression. The radiogr...
Hontoir F, Simon V, De Raeve Y, Dumortier L, Dugdale A, Vandeweerd JM.Different modalities such as lectures, dissections, 3D models, and online learning are used for teaching anatomy. To date, online learning has been considered a useful additional didactic tool. This study aimed to compare veterinary students' performance in radiographic anatomy (radio-anatomy) after online or classroom-based teaching to assess the extent to which the two methods were interchangeable. Three strategies were compared in a cohort of 83 learners. Students were committed to online learning only, online learning with the use of specimen equine bones, or learning on conventional radio...
Nagel H, Lang H, Sole Guitart A, Lean N, Allavena R, Sprohnle-Barrera C, Young A.This case series presents a 20-year-old Quarter horse gelding and a 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding with a histologic diagnosis of aggressive submural neoplasia, including an anaplastic sarcoma and a squamous cell carcinoma respectively. The current case series describes these neoplasias with radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology with immunohistochemistry. The purpose of this case series is to identify the clinical pattern of chronic reoccurring lameness in these cases and highlight the appearance of expansile osteolytic pathology of the distal phalan...
Hoey S, Stokes D, McAllister H, Puggioni A, Skelly C.Osteochondrosis is commonly encountered in young horses, with welfare, performance, and economic effects. Consequently, pre-purchase radiographic screening for osteochondrosis is routinely performed. Ultrasonographic examination of articular cartilage and osteochondrosis lesions are described in the literature with many case series or single case reports published. This systematic review was undertaken to examine the evidence for using ultrasonography in comparison to traditional radiography, arthroscopy or necropsy findings in the detection of osteochondrosis. The systematic review identified...
Andersen C, Griffin JF, Jacobsen S, Østergaard S, Walters M, Mori Y, Lindegaard C.Articular cartilage thinning is an important hallmark of osteoarthritis (OA), and ultrasonography (US) is a clinically accessible tool potentially suitable for repeated evaluation. The aim of the present prospective methods comparison study was to validate US as a tool for measuring cartilage thickness in the carpus of the horse. Eight Standardbred trotters underwent US examination with 9 and 15 MHz linear transducers. Six anatomical locations in the radiocarpal joint (RCJ) and middle carpal joint (MCJ) were examined. The same joints were assessed by ultrahigh field (9.4 Tesla) magnetic reson...
Albers L, Albers J, Dullin C, Staszyk C, Bienert-Zeit A.In clinical practice, early diagnosis of Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH) and other resorptive incisor diseases is difficult to achieve. The radiographic appearance of subtle pathological changes has not been described in detail and might be confused with age-related changes. Objective: The study was performed to define typical radiographic signs of early incisor lesions and to evaluate the reliability of the radiographic findings. Methods: Descriptive and comparative study using post mortem clinical, radiographic, macroscopic and µCT examination. Methods: The...
Lee S, Lee EB, Park KW, Jeong H, Shin KY, Kweon YP, Seo JP.The equine temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has a complex anatomical structure that makes diagnosis of TMJ disorders difficult. Computed tomography (CT) is now available in equine medicine; hence, TMJ evaluation has become more convenient. Objective: The objectives of this study were to describe the CT features of the TMJ in Jeju horses and to compare these features with those of Thoroughbreds. Methods: In this report, the TMJs of 10 Jeju horses (mean age: 4.5 ± 1.9 yr; mean body weight: 282.6 ± 40.3 kg) and 6 Thoroughbreds (mean age: 7.3 ± 1.6 yr; mean body weight: 479.7 ± 44.0 kg) were exam...
Shaffer SK, Garcia TC, Stover SM, Fyhrie DP.Medial proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs) from Thoroughbred racehorses that did (Case) or did not (Control) experience unilateral biaxial PSB fracture were evaluated for bone volume fraction (BVF), apparent mineral density (AMD), tissue mineral density (TMD), and microdamage in Case fractured, Case contralateral limb intact, and Control bones. A majority of Case bones had a subchondral lesion with high microdamage density, and low BVF, AMD, and TMD. Lesion microdamage and densitometric measures were associated with training history by robust linear regression. Exercise intensity was negatively rel...
Pagliara E, Pasinato A, Valazza A, Riccio B, Cantatore F, Terzini M, Putame G, Parrilli A, Sartori M, Fini M, Zanetti EM, Bertuglia A.A catastrophic fracture of the radial carpal bone experienced by a racehorse during a Palio race was analyzed. Computational modelling of the carpal joint at the point of failure informed by live data was generated using a multibody code for dynamics simulation. The circuit design in a turn, the speed of the animal and the surface characteristics were considered in the model. A macroscopic examination of the cartilage, micro-CT and histology were performed on the radio-carpal joint of the limb that sustained the fracture. The model predicted the points of contact forces generated at the level ...
Aßmann AD, Ohlerth S, Suárez Sánchez-Andráde J, Torgerson PR, Bischofberger AS.To determine the diagnostic performance of computed tomographic arthrography (CTA) and 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detecting artificial meniscal, meniscotibial ligament (MTL) lesions and cruciate ligament (CL) lesions in horses. Methods: Ex vivo controlled laboratory study. Methods: Nineteen stifles from adult horses. Methods: Stablike defects (n = 84) (16 mm long, 10 mm deep) were created in the menisci (n = 35), CLs (n = 24), and MTLs (n = 25) via arthroscopy prior to MRI and CTA (80 mL contrast at 85 mg/mL per joint). Two radiologists, unaware of the lesions...
Cercone M.This article provides a comprehensive review of imaging techniques used to evaluate the equine urinary tract. This overview includes officially recognized modalities and new applications reported in the most current literature. Technical aspects and indications for use of endoscopy and ultrasonography are highlighted. Normal endoscopic and ultrasonographic appearance of the upper and lower urinary tract is described, with characterization of common abnormalities found in patients with hematuria, stranguria, and renal failure. Visual examples of several pathologic conditions from clinical cases...
Stieger-Vanegas SM, Hanna AL.Computed tomography (CT) imaging of the head in equine patients is now commonly performed as CT scanners are more readily available. Head CT has proven valuable in evaluating spatially complex anatomic structures, where radiographic superimposition, or restricted access endoscopy or ultrasound, limit complete evaluation of the disease process. Head CT has been demonstrated to be incredibly valuable in the evaluation of dental and paranasal sinus disease, disease of the hyoid apparatus and ear, and in evaluation of skull trauma. CT is an excellent modality for assessment of both osseous and so...
Belotta AF, Mayer MN, Waldner CL, Sidhu NP, Robinson KA, Carmalt JL, Freitas FP, Koehncke NK.The objectives of this study were to investigate scattered radiation doses to the hands of equine workers holding the cassette and the x-ray tube by hand, for both limb and vertebral column studies, and to compare the scattered radiation attenuation of lead with radiation protection lead-free gloves. Radiation doses to the hands of the cassette holder in the primary beam were also investigated. Methods: A whole-body horse cadaver. Methods: A portable x-ray unit was used to simulate 6 radiographic study types in the horse cadaver. Doses were measured with no shielding and, for cassette holders,...
Hall S, Smith R, Ramzan PHL, Head M, Robinson N, Parker R.Rib fractures in adult horses are poorly documented. Objective: To describe the presenting signs, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of horses diagnosed with rib fracture. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: The clinical records and diagnostic images of all adult horses diagnosed with a rib fracture at three referral centres over a 15-year period were reviewed. Results: Seventy-three horses met the inclusion criteria. Horses presented due to either resistance to ridden work and poor performance (n = 41), lameness (n = 21) or trauma (n = 7). In four horses, the presenting complaint...
Kondo T, Sato F, Tsuzuki N, Watanabe K, Horiuchi N, Kobayashi Y, Yamada K.The purpose of this observational study was to determine the characteristic computed tomographic (CT) myelography findings of cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM) lesions in Thoroughbred horses. A total of 23 Thoroughbred horses (age range, 155-717 days on CT examination; mean, 410.9 days) were analyzed. All 23 Thoroughbred horses underwent unenhanced radiography, radiographic myelography, and CT myelography. Unenhanced radiographs were observed the presence of cervical vertebral malalignment and osseous lesions. Radiographic myelograms were observed for signs of cervical spinal cord ...
Hobbs KJ, Porter E, Wait C, Dark M, MacKay RJ.Magnetic resonance imaging is increasingly available for evaluation of horses with suspected pituitary adenomas; however, published studies describing the MRI features of normal equine pituitary glands are currently lacking. This retrospective, descriptive, anatomic study describes the MRI appearance and size of presumed normal equine pituitary glands and assesses potential correlations between pituitary size, brain size, and patient weight. These findings serve as a reference for MRI evaluation of the equine pituitary gland. Inclusion criteria consisted of adult horses (2-15 years old), over ...
Edwards RB, Lu Y, Cole BJ, Muir P, Markel MD.To compare a radiofrequency energy (RFE) prototype probe to mechanical debridement (MD) and a commercially available RFE system used for chondroplasty in the treatment of an experimentally created partial thickness cartilage lesion in horses. The study design was experimental, randomized complete block, n=8, using fifteen mature ponies. Methods: Grade 2 to 3 cartilage lesions were prepared in both patellae. After 10 months duration, the injuries were used to study the effects of MD, a commercially available bipolar RFE device (CoVac 50; ArthroCare Corporation) and a prototype monopolar RFE dev...
Johnston GCA, Ahern BJ, Palmieri C, Young AC.(1) Background: Parasagittal groove (PSG) changes are often present on advanced imaging of racing Thoroughbred fetlocks and have been suggested to indicate increased fracture risk. Currently, there is limited evidence differentiating the imaging appearance of prodromal changes in horses at risk of fracture from horses with normal adaptive modelling in response to galloping. This study aims to investigate imaging and gross PSG findings in racing Thoroughbreds and the comparative utility of different imaging modalities to detect PSG changes. (2) Methods: Cadaver limbs were collected from twenty ...
Suarez Sanchez-Andrade J, Richter H, Kuhn K, Bischofberger AS, Kircher PR, Hoey S.While articular cartilage changes are considered to be one of the initial events in the pathological cascade leading to osteoarthritis, these changes remain difficult to detect using conventional diagnostic imaging modalities such as plain radiography. The aim of this prospective, experimental, methods comparison study was to compare the sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance arthrography, computed tomography (CT), and CT arthrography in the detection of artificially induced articular cartilage defects in the equine carpal joints. Defects were created in the antebr...
Levine DG, Richardson DW.Fracture repair and arthrodesis in horses require rigid fixation in order to achieve early post operative comfort. The locking compression plate (LCP) was designed to allow greater stability and less periosteal disruption than conventional plates. Objective: To describe a series of clinical cases in which the LCP was used for fracture stabilisation or arthrodesis. Methods: Medical records, radiographs and follow-up for 31 horses having fracture stabilisation or arthrodesis with the LCP were reviewed. Reasons for treatment included fracture of the olecranon (n = 2), metatarsal III (n = 2), ilia...
Relave F, Meulyzer M, Alexander K, Beauchamp G, Marcoux M.Lesions located on the medial malleolus of the tarsocrural joint can be difficult to image radiographically. Ultrasonography allows evaluation of articular cartilage and subchondral bone. Objective: To compare dorso30 degrees lateral-plantaromedial-oblique (DL-PIMO) and dorso45 degrees views to detect lesions on the medial malleolus, to validate the use of ultrasonography to show lesions in the tarsocrural joint and to compare its sensitivity to radiography. Methods: Tarsocrural joints (n=111) with osteochondrosis were evaluated ultrasonographically and radiographically prior to arthroscopic l...
Gough SL, Anderson JDC, Dixon JJ.Three-dimensional computed tomographic (CT) evaluation of the cervical vertebral column enables more accurate identification of osseous and soft tissue lesions than traditional latero-lateral radiography. However, examination of the complete cervical vertebral column has been limited by horse size, preventing evaluation of the caudal cervical vertebrae. Objective: To describe a technique to enable CT myelography of the complete cervical spine and describe the findings in 51 horses. Methods: Records of 51 horses presented for evaluation of cervical vertebral lesions. Methods: A retrospective re...
Brünisholz HP, Hagen R, Fürst AE, Kuemmerle JM.To characterize the configuration of incomplete proximal fractures of the proximal phalanx (P1) in horses not used for racing and compare radiographic with computed tomography (CT) findings. Methods: Historical cohort. Methods: Twenty-four horses with incomplete fractures of P1. Methods: Medical records of horses not used for racing diagnosed with an incomplete proximal fracture of P1 based on clinical and radiographic examination and confirmed by CT between 2008 and 2013 were retrieved. Radiographs and CT studies of these horses were analyzed using a subjective grading system and by measuring...
Smith BP, Robinson RC.Five out of 6 foals between 2 and 4 months old, on a ranch in northern California, developed pneumonia within a 3 week period in June and July 1978. Corynebacterium equi was recovered from each of the 5 foals by transtracheal aspiration. Clinical signs were variable but included increased respiratory rate, fever, cough, nasal discharge, harsh airway sounds over middle sized airways and wheezing over small airways. Cyanosis was present in the most severely affected foal. Radiographic findings included diffusely increased interstitial and peribronchial densities, areas of consolidation and, in 3...
Olstad K, Ytrehus B, Ekman S, Carlson CS, Dolvik NI.It is presently unknown whether cartilage ischaemia plays any part in the pathogenesis of osteochondral fragmentation within the equine metatarsophalangeal joint, as no detailed studies on microcirculation in the area have been reported. Objective: To describe the developmental pattern of the blood supply to the epiphyseal growth cartilage in the metatarsophalangeal joint of foals. Methods: Eight Standardbred foals were sacrificed between birth and age 7 weeks to undergo a barium perfusion procedure to demonstrate vessels within growth cartilage canals of one hindlimb. The metatarso-phalangeal...
Nelson BB, Kawcak CE, Goodrich LR, Werpy NM, Valdés-Martínez A, McIlwraith CW.The femorotibial joints are a common source of lameness in Western performance horses. The objective of this prospective study was to compare the radiography, ultrasonography, computed tomographic arthrography (CTA), and arthroscopy findings in horses with lameness localized to the femorotibial joints. Twenty-five stifles in 24 horses were included and were evaluated with all four of these diagnostic methods. Defects detected in femorotibial joint structures were compared between diagnostic methods using a McNemar's test to evaluate for disagreement. Cranial medial meniscotibial desmopathy was...
Werpy NM, Denoix JM, McIlwraith CW, Frisbie DD.Previous studies have proposed that standard ultrasonography may not adequately represent the pertinent anatomic characteristics of the equine proximal suspensory ligament. The purpose of the study was to compare the use of standard ultrasonography, angle contrast ultrasonography, MRI, and histology for identification of the anatomic characteristics of the normal equine suspensory ligament in the forelimb. Horses free from forelimb lameness with no palpable abnormalities in the region of the suspensory ligament were included in the study. The proximal suspensory ligaments in 20 forelimbs were ...
van Loon CJ, de Waal Malefijt MC, Buma P, Stolk T, Verdonschot N, Tromp AM, Huiskes R, Barneveld A.The properties of impacted morsellised bone graft (MBG) in revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were studied in 12 horses. The left hind metatarsophalangeal joint was replaced by a human TKA. The horses were then randomly divided into graft and control groups. In the graft group, a unicondylar, lateral uncontained defect was created in the third metatarsal bone and reconstructed using autologous MBG before cementing the TKA. In the control group, a cemented TKA was implanted without the bone resection and grafting procedure. After four to eight months, the animals were killed and a biomechan...
Hampson BA, de Laat MA, Mills PC, Walsh DM, Pollitt CC.It has been proposed that the feral horse foot is a benchmark model for foot health in horses. However, the foot health of feral horses has not been formally investigated. Objective: To investigate the foot health of Australian feral horses and determine if foot health is affected by environmental factors, such as substrate properties and distance travelled. Methods: Twenty adult feral horses from five populations (n = 100) were investigated. Populations were selected on the basis of substrate hardness and the amount of travel typical for the population. Feet were radiographed and photographed...
McIlwraith CW.The paper reviews current knowledge on conservative versus surgical options for the treatment of osteochondrosis entities in the horse. Clinical and radiographic signs of each significant osteochondrosis entity in the horse are presented, followed by the value of conservative treatment versus arthroscopic surgery options as well as the results for each option with the various entities. The entities presented in detail include, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the femoropatellar, tarsocrural, metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal, and glenohumural articulations. The various treatment op...
Manohar M.The present study was carried out 1) to compare blood flow in the costal and crural regions of the equine diaphragm during quiet breathing at rest and during graded exercise and 2) to determine the fraction of cardiac output needed to perfuse the diaphragm during near-maximal exercise. By the use of radionuclide-labeled 15-micron-diam microspheres injected into the left atrium, diaphragmatic and intercostal muscle blood flow was studied in 10 healthy ponies at rest and during three levels of exercise (moderate: 12 mph, heavy: 15 mph, and near-maximal: 19-20 mph) performed on a treadmill. At re...
Ley CJ, Björnsdóttir S, Ekman S, Boyde A, Hansson K.Validated noninvasive detection methods for early osteoarthritis (OA) are required for OA prevention and early intervention treatment strategies. Objective: To evaluate radiography and low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of early stage OA osteochondral lesions in equine centrodistal joints using microscopy as the reference standard. Methods: Prospective imaging of live horses and imaging and microscopy of cadaver tarsal joints. Methods: Centrodistal (distal intertarsal) joints of 38 Icelandic research horses aged 27-29 months were radiographed. Horses were subjected to...
Di Stefano DA, Greco GB, Cinci L, Pieri L.The present work describes a horizontal ridge augmentation in which a titanium mesh was preshaped by adapting it to a stereolithographic model of the patient's jaw that was fabricated from CT scans. Guided bone regeneration (GBR) involves covering the augmentation site with a long-lasting barrier to protect it from the invasion of surrounding soft tissues. Among barriers, titanium meshes may provide a successful outcome, but the intraoperatory time needed to shape them is a disadvantage. The 54-year-old patient, missing the right mandibular second bicuspid, first molar, and second molar, had h...
Rubio-Martínez LM, Cruz AM, Gordon K, Hurtig MB.To characterize the mechanical properties of subchondral bone (SCB) of the distopalmar aspect of the condyles of the third metacarpal bone (MC3) and their correlations with structural aspects of MC3s in Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: 12 pairs of MC3s from Thoroughbred racehorses euthanized for various reasons. Methods: MC3s were collected from horses with mild (n = 6) and with severe (6) SCB changes, as determined by micro-computed tomography (CT). Specimens of SCB plate and trabecular bone were cut from the distopalmar aspect of condyles and sagittal ridge and examined with 3-dimensional m...
Trumble TN, Brown MP, Merritt KA, Billinghurst RC.Validate use of a commercially available immunoassay for measurement of bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) in equine serum and synovial fluid (SF), and investigate the effects of osteochondral (OC) injury in horses on BAP concentrations in serum and SF. Methods: SF was collected from 37 joints of 34 Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses undergoing arthroscopic surgery for the removal of OC fragments from either the carpal joints (n=18) or the metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal (MP) joints (n=19). SF was also obtained from 52 joints of 16 normal TB horses, collected bilaterally from carpal joints of 10 horses ...
Dacre IT, Kempson S, Dixon PM.Morphological examinations were performed on 100 normal equine cheek teeth (CT) of 1-12 years dental age (i.e. time since eruption), using gross examination, dissection microscopy, computerised axial tomography, and decalcified and undecalcified histology. The CT in Triadan 07-10 positions consistently had five pulp horns, but the 06 CT had an additional pulp horn more rostrally. Mandibular and maxillary Triadan 11s had six and seven pulp horns, respectively. Sections of CT taken 2-6mm below the occlusal surface (variation due to normal undulating occlusal surface) showed the presence of pulp ...
Trela JM, Spriet M, Padgett KA, Galuppo LD, Vaughan B, Vidal MA.Intra-arterial (i.a.) and intravenous (i.v.) regional limb perfusions (RLP) through the median artery and cephalic vein, respectively, have been previously investigated for administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to the equine distal limb. Limitations due to thrombosis of the arteries after i.a. RLP and poor distribution of MSCs to the foot with i.v. RLP were observed. These techniques need to be modified for clinical use. Objective: Evaluate the distribution, uptake and persistence of radiolabelled MSCs after i.a. injection through the median artery without a tourniquet and after i.v....
Riley CB, Bolton JR, Mills JN, Thomas JB.The clinical, radiographic and post-mortem findings in 6 horses with cryptococcal pneumonia and one horse with an abdominal cryptococcal granuloma are described. In pulmonary cryptococcosis, the lesions were either diffuse and multiple, with bilateral lung involvement, or localised mainly to the dorsocaudal region of one lung. The cases of diffuse multiple cryptococcosis were thought to be associated with haematogenous spread of the fungus after gastrointestinal infection and dissemination from regional lymph nodes. The localised form of the disease was thought to have been associated with inh...
Mathee N, Robert M, Higgerty SM, Fosgate GT, Rogers AL, d'Ablon X, Carstens A.In several veterinary institutions, adjustments of CT machines have been made that allow for imaging of the standing horse. The risk of general anesthesia is eliminated and the shorter scan completion time reduces cost to clients. The objective of this retrospective, analytical study was to evaluate the technique, imaging diagnoses, feasibility, and image artifacts of multi-slice helical CT of horses' distal limbs acquired under standing sedation. The CT images of 250 horses of various breeds, aged 3-23 years, that underwent standing distal limb CT were evaluated. Three observers assessed the ...
Moore RM, Bertone AL, Bailey MQ, Muir WW, Beard WL.Histomorphologic/morphometric evaluation, leukocyte scintigraphy, and myeloperoxidase activity were used to determine whether neutrophils accumulate in the large colon of horses during low-flow ischemia and reperfusion. Twenty-four adult horses were assigned to 1 of 3 groups: group 1, sham-operated (n = 6); group 2, 6 hours of ischemia (n = 9); and group 3, 3 hours of ischemia and 3 hours of reperfusion (n = 9). Low-flow ischemia of the large colon was induced in horses of groups 2 and 3 by reducing colonic arterial blood flow to 20% of baseline. Radiolabeled (99mTc) autogenous neutrophils wer...
Rabba S, Grulke S, Verwilghen D, Evrard L, Busoni V.Ultrasonography is routinely used to achieve the diagnosis of equine suspensory ligament desmopathy. In human medicine, power Doppler ultrasonography has also been found to be useful for the diagnosis of tendon/ligament injuries. The aim of this prospective, pilot study was to assess the presence or absence of power Doppler signal in suspensory ligament branches and compare B-mode findings with power Doppler findings in suspensory ligament branches of lame and non-lame limbs. Thirteen horses were used (eight lame horses, with lameness related to pain in the suspensory ligament branches, and fi...
Kendall A, Ley C, Egenvall A, Bröjer J.Ingestion of sand can cause colic, diarrhoea and weight loss in horses, but these signs are unspecific and can have many other causes. The amount of sand that induces disease may vary between individuals. To avoid over-diagnosing, it is important to determine the amount of sand that can be found in horses without clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease. The aim of this study was to use previously suggested parameters for establishing a radiographic diagnosis of sand colic, and compare these findings between a sand colic group and a control group. Methods: Abdominal radiographs were obtained...
Taylor SE, Weaver MP, Pitsillides AA, Wheeler BT, Wheeler-Jones CP, Shaw DJ, Smith RK.Quantification of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) levels within synovial fluid from the tarsometatarsal joint has not previously been reported and an effective synovial fluid marker would allow monitoring of disease progression and treatment. Objective: To quantify levels of COMP and hyaluronan (HA) in synovial fluid from the tarsometatarsal joint, identify differences in levels from horses with osteoarthritis (OA) of the tarsometatarsal joint compared to a control population and to correlate levels with radiographic changes in horses with OA. Methods: Synovial fluid was collected f...
Claridge HA, Piercy RJ, Parry A, Weller R.REASONS FOR STUDY: Detailed anatomy of the equine cervical articular process joints (APJs) has received little attention in the literature and yet disorders of this joint have been linked to spinal cord compression resulting in severe clinical signs such as ataxia and weakness. This study aimed to describe the 3D anatomy of the APJ in relation to the spinal cord in the horse. Objective: Artificial distension of the APJ causes the joint pouches to extend into the vertebral canal, with the potential for APJ effusion to cause spinal cord compressive disease. Methods: Six cadaveric necks (C1-C7) o...
Espinosa-Mur P, Phillips KL, Galuppo LD, DeRouen A, Benoit P, Anderson E, Shaw K, Puchalski S, Peters D, Kass PH, Spriet M.Cervical osteoarthritis (OA) has been documented as a potential source of pain and poor performance in sport horses. Objective: To assess the prevalence of cervical OA in a population of Warmblood jumpers and its correlation with age, level of performance, neck pain and mobility. Methods: Descriptive observational study. Methods: Warmblood jumpers free of lameness or neurological disorders were selected. Cervical pain and range of motion of the neck were subjectively assessed. Left to right lateral views were taken at C3-C4, C4-C5, C5-C6 and C6-C7. The presence of OA at the cervical articular ...
Gibbs C, Lane JG.The radiographic findings in 167 horses subjected to radiography of the facial area, nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are recorded. Cases were grouped according to clinical diagnosis and the common and disparate radiographic features between and within groups are discussed. Dental disease occurred most frequently and accounted for about 30 per cent of cases, most of which had periapical infection. This disorder presented as two distinct clinical entities in almost equal numbers affected teeth with roots rostral to the maxillary sinus usually produced facial swelling, whereas those with roots...
