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.
Spriet M, Edwards L, Arndt S, Wilson SS, Galuppo LD, Stepanov P, Beylin D.A positron emission tomography (PET) scanner, with an openable ring of detectors, was specifically designed to image the distal limb of standing horses. The goals of this prospective, preclinical, experimental, methods comparison study were to validate the safety of the scanner, assess image quality, and optimize scanning protocols. Six research horses were imaged three times (twice standing, once anesthetized) and six horses in active race training were imaged once under standing sedation. Multiple scans of both front fetlocks were obtained with different scan durations and axial fields of vi...
Vajs T, Nekouei O, Biermann NM.The tarsus is one of the most common areas of traumatic injury with associated synovial involvement (SI) in horses. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures, management (emphasizing the type, duration, and route of antimicrobial administration), and outcome of cases with acute soft tissue trauma to the tarsal region. The presenting clinical features, the results of diagnostic modalities, and the initial response to therapy were assessed for their usefulness to predict SI. Medical records of 72 cases were included and SI was diagnosed ...
Maher MA, Ahmad IM.The current study was performed on ten adult Egyptian donkeys of both sexes for anatomical and radiographic studies in addition to six other donkeys for enzymatic, biochemical and statistical analysis. The aim was to illustrate the normal hepatic arterial and biliary distribution using different anatomic techniques and radiographic imaging besides, establishing an accurate laboratory profile specific for donkeys that used as standard indicators for hepatobiliary dysfunction. The right branch of the hepatic artery in donkey forms a curved arch erupting five branches, unlike the left branch that...
Davis JG, GarcÃa-López JM.To report the findings and long-term outcome of 76 sport horses with meniscal injury. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Seventy-six horses with 93 meniscal injuries in 85 stifles. Methods: Medical records of sport horses diagnosed with meniscal injury during arthroscopy were reviewed. Owner follow up was obtained via telephone interview ≥1.5 years postoperatively. Preoperative and intraoperative findings, and postoperative treatments, were analyzed for potential association with return to athletic performance. Results: The medial meniscus was involved in 82.8% of cases, with gra...
Peeters MWJ, Thursby JJ, Watson HE, Berner D.Palmaroproximal-palmarodistal oblique (PaPr-PaDiO) radiographs are regularly obtained for a full evaluation of the navicular bone (NB). Despite their routine use, different acquisition techniques are described. Objective: To determine optimal foot placement and beam angle for obtaining PaPr-PaDiO views. Methods: In vitro experiment. Methods: A convenience sample of 26 disarticulated forelimbs were placed in six different positions using a leg press to mimic the weight-bearing position. In each position, navicular PaPr-PaDiO images were obtained with eight different beam angles. The resulting 1...
Cianci JM, Wulster KB, Richardson DW, Stefanovski D, Ortved KF.To investigate the effects of fracture characteristics and concurrent subchondral bone pathology identified with computed tomography (CT) on the racing performance of Thoroughbred racehorses with fractures of the MC3/MT3 lateral condyle. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Thoroughbred racehorses (n = 50) with a fracture of the MC3/MT3 lateral condyle, which had preoperative CT and internal fixation performed. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for age, sex, limb, and surgical treatment. Computed tomography scans were evaluated to determine fracture characteristics including le...
Kondo T, Sato F, Tsuzuki N, Chen CJ, Yamada K.Computed tomographic myelography can be a useful tool for evaluating vertebral canal stenosis. However, an index of spinal cord compression is yet to be established. This observational descriptive study aimed to establish an index for spinal cord compression using computed tomography (CT). Twenty-three Thoroughbred horses (age, 155-717 days; weight, 205-523Â kg) with suspected cervical vertebral malformation were subjected to computed tomographic myelography in dorsal recumbency using large-bore gantry CT to define the entire cervical vertebrae from C1 to C7. Subsequently, the height of the sp...
Hinkle FE, Selberg KT, Frisbie DD, Barrett MF.Comparison of radiography to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help objectively assess the value and limitations of radiographs in orthopaedic disease processes. The tarsus and proximal suspensory origin of the metatarsus are commonly imaged regions for lameness. The knowledge gained by comparison between imaging modalities will aid in improving accuracy of radiographic interpretation. Objective: To compare the radiographic and MRI findings of the proximal third metatarsal bone (MTIII) and proximal suspensory ligament using MRI as the gold standard. Methods: Retrospective observational stud...
Bolt DM, Carrier ME, Sheridan KS, Manso-Diaz G, Berner D.Foot imbalance and malalignment of the digits are common in horses. Angle and distance measurements performed on bones, joints and hoof wall on radiographs provide essential guidance for precise corrective trimming and shoeing. This study aimed to investigate, if selected standing low-field magnetic resonance (MR) images can be used to accurately measure dorsopalmar and lateromedial foot conformation parameters in comparison to the radiographic gold standard. Images of 100 horses referred for standing low-field MR examination were selected. Foot conformation angles and distances were measured ...
Kozłowska N, Wierzbicka M, Jasiński T, Domino M.The horse, as a flight animal with a survival strategy involving rapid escape from predators, is a natural-born athlete with enormous functional plasticity of the respiratory system. Any respiratory dysfunction can cause a decline in ventilation and gas exchange. Therefore, respiratory diseases often lead to exercise intolerance and poor performance. This is one of the most frequent problems encountered by equine internists. Routine techniques used to evaluate respiratory tract diseases include clinical examination, endoscopic examination, radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging, cytological...
Addis A, Canciani E, Campagnol M, Colombo M, Frigerio C, Recupero D, Dellavia C, Morroni M.Different xenogeneic inorganic bone substitutes are currently used as bone grafting materials in oral and maxillo-facial surgery. The aim of the present study was to determine the physicochemical properties and the in vivo performance of an anorganic equine bone (AEB) substitute. AEB is manufactured by applying a process involving heating at >300 °C with the aim of removing all the antigens and the organic components. AEB was structurally characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectros...
Abushhiwa MH, Elmeshreghi TN, Alrtib AM, Bennour EM, Oheida AH.Orthopedic diseases involving the forelimb fetlock joint of horses other than those used in professional racing have not been widely reported in the literature. One of these problems is the exostosis on the proximal forelimb phalanx (P1), which has not been reported previously in Western Libya. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of P1 exostosis in traditional equestrian horses (known locally as Sarj horses) of different breeds in Libya that participated in a special social event and described its clinical findings radiographic appearance. The current study involved 60 horses admitte...
Murata D, Ishikawa S, Sunaga T, Saito Y, Sogawa T, Nakayama K, Hobo S, Hatazoe T.Medical interventions for subchondral bone cysts in horses have been extensively studied. This study investigated the regeneration of articular cartilage and subchondral bone with scaffold-free three-dimensional (3D) constructs of equine synovial membrane-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SM-MSCs) isolated from three ponies and expanded until over 1.0 × 10 cells at passage 2 (P2). Results: SM-MSCs were strongly positive for CD11a/CD18, CD44, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I; moderately positive for CD90, CD105, and MHC class II; and negative for CD34 and CD45 on flow cytom...
Schulze N, Werpy N, Gernhardt J, Fritsch G, Hildebrandt T, Vanderperren K, Klopfleisch R, Ben Romdhane R, Lischer C, Ehrle A.Dynamic computed tomography (CT) imaging has been introduced in human orthopaedics and is continuing to gain popularity. With dynamic CT, video sequences of anatomical structures can be evaluated in motion. Objective: To investigate the feasibility of dynamic CT for diagnostic imaging of the equine cervical articular process joints (APJs) and to give a detailed description of the APJ movement pattern. Methods: Descriptive cadaver imaging. Methods: Cervical specimens of twelve Warmblood horses were included. A custom-made motorised testing device was used to position and manipulate the neck spe...
Drabbe A, Janssens S, Blott S, Ducro BJ, Fontanel M, Francois L, Schurink A, Stinckens A, Lindgren G, Van Mol B, Pille F, Buys N, Velie BD.Osteochondrosis (OC) is an important skeletal disease causing profound welfare concerns in horses. Although numerous studies have explored the genetics underlying OC in various breeds, the Belgian Warmblood (BW) remains unstudied despite having a concerning prevalence of 32.0%. As a result, this study aimed to conduct genome-wide association (GWA) analyses to identify candidate variants associated with OC in BWs. To achieve this, blood samples and radiographs were collected from 407 Belgian Warmbloods registered to one of two BW studbooks (Belgisch Warmbloedpaard and Zangersheide), and genotyp...
Auckburally A, Wiklund MK, Lord PF, Hedenstierna G, Nyman G.To measure changes in pulmonary perfusion during pulsed inhaled nitric oxide (PiNO) delivery in anesthetized, spontaneously breathing and mechanically ventilated ponies positioned in dorsal recumbency. Methods: 6 adult ponies. Methods: Ponies were anesthetized, positioned in dorsal recumbency in a CT gantry, and allowed to breathe spontaneously. Pulmonary artery, right atrial, and facial artery catheters were placed. Analysis time points were baseline, after 30 minutes of PiNO, and 30 minutes after discontinuation of PiNO. At each time point, iodinated contrast medium was injected, and CT angi...
Olstad K, Aasmundstad T, Kongsro J, Grindflek E.Computed tomography (CT) is used to evaluate body composition and limb osteochondrosis in selection of breeding boars. Pigs also develop heritably predisposed abnormal curvature of the spine including juvenile kyphosis. It has been suggested that osteochondrosis-like changes cause vertebral wedging and kyphosis, both of which are identifiable by CT. The aim of the current study was to examine the spine from occiput to sacrum to map changes and evaluate relationships, especially whether osteochondrosis caused juvenile kyphosis, in which case CT could be used in selection against it. Whole-body ...
Schreeg ME, Radkin M, Haugland J, Murphy BG, Rushton S, Linder KE.Ameloblastic carcinoma is a malignant odontogenic neoplasm that has been reported only rarely in veterinary species. A 16-y-old Arabian crossbred mare was presented for evaluation of a hard mass on the body of the mandible, with evidence of osteolysis on radiographs. Incisional biopsies revealed an invasive neoplasm comprised of spindloid epithelial cells with a high mitotic count and partial dual cytokeratin-vimentin immunoreactivity. The horse was euthanized because of rapid tumor progression 3 mo after presentation. Postmortem evaluation revealed partial obliteration of the mandible by a ...
Pearce CJ, Brooks N.Caries of the infundibula of equine cheek teeth can lead to significant dental disease including increased attritional wear, pulpar and apical disease, secondary sinusitis, and dental fracture. Restorations of cavities of equine cheek teeth infundibula have been performed since 1889. Recent advances in dental materials, instrumentation, and techniques have facilitated the use of dental restoration techniques by equine veterinary practitioners. No studies to date have demonstrated the safety or efficacy of restorations of equine cheek teeth infundibula. Objective: To assess the long-term result...
Schoen LM, Al Naem M, Röcken M, Geburek F.Lacerations of the axillary region occur frequently in horses. Typical complications caused by entrapment of air in the wound during locomotion are subcutaneous emphysema, with consecutive pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax. In this case report, the clinical, radiographic and laboratory diagnosis and management of these complications after an axillary laceration that finally resulted in pneumoperitoneum are described. A 1-year-old Hannoveranian was presented with a pre-existing axillary laceration of unknown duration and subcutaneous emphysema in the surrounding tissue. Due to extensive tissue...
Miyakoshi D, Watanabe A, Ikeda H, Mizuguchi Y.An 8-month-old thoroughbred colt presented with sudden onset right forelimb lameness. A radiographic series of the right carpus was performed, and it revealed a slab fracture of the fourth carpal bone and fracture of the proximal part of the third metacarpal bone. Arthroscopically guided repair of the slab fracture of the fourth carpal bone with a 3.5 mm cortex screw and lag screw fixation of the fracture of the proximal part of the third metacarpal bone were performed. The horse started to race at 32 months old and started in 65 races over three years without any trouble associated with the r...
Schade J, de Souza AF, Vincensi LC, Fonteque JH.The objective of this study was to assess the influence of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint angle on the transversal area (TA) and mean echogenicity (ME) of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and suspensory ligament (SL) in gaited horses. Ultrasound images were obtained from 50 healthy adult horses of the Mangalarga Marchador (MM; n=25) and Campeiro (n=25) breeds. Static and dynamic angles of the MCP joint were measured from photographs and video recordings. Higher ME values were evinced for the SL only in the group with the smaller dynamic angles of the MCP joint in the MM horses...
Pye J, Spriet M, Dow P, Katzman S, Murphy BG.To describe clinical, imaging, gross, and histopathological abnormalities associated with osteochondral necrosis of the femoral condyles in foals and identify features suggestive of a common pathogenesis. 8 Thoroughbred foals euthanized with a presumptive diagnosis of necrosis of the femoral condyles. Postmortem CT was performed on all distal femoral epiphyseal samples. The articular epiphyseal cartilage complex (AECC) of affected distal femurs was examined grossly and histologically, focusing on lesions of interest identified on CT images. 7 foals were between 9 and 23 days old at the time of...
Emmert BJ, Robison CI, Pritchard A, Nielsen BD.Digital radiographs are common for estimating bone mineral content (BMC) in horses with radiographic bone aluminum equivalents (RBAE). Processing algorithms are used to produce clearer images of digital radiographs in clinical settings, but this distorts RBAE. This study compared RBAE from digital radiographs to BMC from bone ash, and physical and digital morphology measurements. Digital radiographs were taken of six third metacarpals (MCIII) from equine cadavers with an aluminum step wedge penetrometer. A 2-cm transverse section of bone was digitally analyzed and excised from each MCIII. For ...
Takeyama T, Sasaki N.Thoracic spinous process osseous changes in horses occur due to riding-induced back compression. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the findings of thoracic spinous process osseous changes on radiographic imaging and conformation based on the difference in over-riding of the dorsal spinous processes in racing horses. This study included 55 sports horses. The hardness of the back muscles (the multifidus, longissimi, and latissimi collectively) was measured, and the horses were divided into two groups: low muscle hardness (n = 16) and high muscle hardness (n = 39). We conf...
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 ...
Fortin-Trahan R, Lemirre T, Santschi EM, Janes JG, Richard H, Fogarty U, Beauchamp G, Girard CA, Laverty S.There is a knowledge gap about how equine MFC subchondral radiolucencies (SR) arise and evolve. Osteoclasts are believed to have a role but have not been studied in situ. Objective: To measure and compare osteoclast density and the percentage of chondroclasts in healthy and MFC SR specimens from juvenile Thoroughbreds. Methods: Cadaveric study. Methods: Medial femoral condyles (MFC) from a tissue bank of equine stifles were studied. Inclusion criteria were MFCs (≤8 months old) with a computed tomography SR lesion and histological focal failure of endochondral ossification (L group). Contral...
Bras R, Morrison S.A healthy foot requires a well-balanced foot capable of shock absorption, traction, and normal proprioception. Radiographs and venograms are helpful in assessing health of the external and internal structures of the foot and in early diagnosis. Other techniques to assess foot mechanics include force plate and inertial sensors. When foot pathology ensues, early recognition and emergency mechanical treatment can improve prognosis and overall outcome. Sheared heels, under-run heels, and clubfeet are common problems that need to be corrected early. Successful management and results require he vete...
Dias IR, Maia LM, Quaresma M, Cotovio M, Silva FC.Complete fractures of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bones (Mc/t3) are not common, but can occur in various situations and all types of horses, contributing for approximately one third of all long bone fractures in the horse, mostly related to external trauma or to high energy injuries. To stabilize Mc/t3 fractures in the horse, conservative management with walking casts and/or open reduction and internal fixation techniques are referred in the scientific literature, these last one generally by double platting application to bone surface in 90 degrees. In the present case will be described a ...
Moore BR, Reed SM, Biller DS, Kohn CW, Weisbrode SE.Magnification of cervical radiographs prevents accurate interpretation of vertebral canal absolute minimum sagittal diameter (MSD) values and application of the established MSD values for diagnosis of cervical stenotic myelopathy (CSM). Variability in MSD determination in human beings, owing to radiographic magnification, is minimized by assessing a ratio of the vertebral canal diameter to the sagittal width of the vertebral body. This relative measurement technique improves the accuracy of diagnosis of cervical spinal stenosis in human beings. The MSD of the vertebral canal was determined in ...
Liuti T, Reardon R, Dixon PM.Disorders affecting the equine maxillary cheek teeth and paranasal sinuses are relatively common, but limited objective information is available on the dimensions and relationships of these structures in horses of different ages. The aims of this study were to assess age-related changes in the positioning and anatomical relationships of the individual maxillary cheek teeth with the infraorbital canal and maxillary septum and the volumes of the individual sinus compartments. CT and gross examination were performed on 60 normal equine cadaver heads that were aged by their dentition. The intrasin...
Tietje S, Becker M, Böckenhoff G.The rapid development of software and technology now allows a large amount of diagnostic information to be obtained from a computed tomographic examination. This imaging technique can also be usefully applied to the horse, given appropriate premises and a custom built table for accurate positioning. Computed tomography of the skull has considerable advantages over other techniques, as structures are viewed without superimposition. Fifteen cases are used to demonstrate how through high image quality (precise detail, reduction in artefacts) and objective measurement of density, various pathologi...
Chou CC, Vickroy TW.To determine the presence of adenosine receptor subtypes A1 and A2a in equine forebrain tissues and to characterize the interactions of caffeine and its metabolites with adenosine receptors in the CNS of horses. Methods: Brain tissue specimens obtained during necropsy from 5 adult male research horses. Methods: Membrane-enriched homogenates from cerebral cortex and striatum were evaluated by radioligand binding assays with the A1-selective ligand [3H]DPCPX and the A2a-selective ligand [3H]ZM241385. Functional responses to adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists were determined by a nucleot...
Manso-DÃaz G, Dyson SJ, Dennis R, GarcÃa-López JM, Biggi M, GarcÃa-Real MI, San Román F, Taeymans O.The equine head is an anatomically complex area, therefore advanced tomographic imaging techniques, such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are often required for diagnosis and treatment planning. The purpose of this multicenter retrospective study was to describe MRI characteristics for a large sample of horses with head disorders. Horses imaged over a period of 13 years were recruited. Eighty-four horses met the inclusion criteria, having neurological (n = 65), sinonasal (n = 14), and soft tissue (n = 5) disorders. Magnetic resonance imaging accurately depicted the a...
Strand E, Braathen LC, Hellsten MC, Huse-Olsen L, Bjornsdottir S.The Icelandic horse is a pristine breed of horse which has a pure gene pool established more than a thousand years ago, and is approximately the same size as living and extinct wild breeds of horses. This study was performed to compare the length of the skeletal growth period of the "primitive" Icelandic horse relative to that reported for large horse breeds developed over the recent centuries. This information would provide practical guidance to owners and veterinarians as to when the skeleton is mature enough to commence training, and would be potentially interesting to those scientists inve...
Lipreri G, Bladon BM, Giorio ME, Singer ER.To compare the outcome following conservative vs surgical management of sports horses with a diagnosis of subchondral bone trauma of the proximal aspect of the proximal phalanx (PP) by low-field MRI. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Twenty-one mature sports horses with evidence of high water signal within the proximal sagittal groove of the PP according to low-field MRI of the fetlock, with no definitive radiographic evidence of fracture. Methods: Medical records (2010-2017) of horses admitted to 2 referral hospitals were reviewed. Historical, clinical, radiographic, and MRI findin...
Hopf S, Buchalla R, Elhöft H, Rubarth O, Börm W.We present a rare case of a combined dislocated odontoid dens fracture type II (Anderson/D'Alonzo) and rotational atlantoaxial luxation in a 15-year-old girl who was involved in a riding accident.She fell off her horse after it had stopped suddenly, losing consciousness for a few minutes. At presentation in the hospital, she had no complaints other than limited, painful neck movement. Radiologically, a posterior dislocation of an odontoid type II fracture (Anderson/D'Alonzo) was found. Computed tomography reconstruction demonstrated a rotational, hooklike fixed luxation of the left atlantoaxia...
Beccati F, Pepe M, Santinelli I, Gialletti R, Di Meo A, Romero JM.Abnormalities of the ventral lamina of the sixth cervical vertebra (AVL-C6) are thought to exert abnormal stress on the articular process joints (APJs) of the cervicothoracic junction. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between AVL-C6 and radiographic findings in the caudal cervical area and between clinical signs of neck pain and ataxia and radiographic findings. Methods: Medical records of horses subjected to cervical radiography were reviewed. Horses were classified into those with neck pain (group C), those with ataxia (group A) and healthy horses (group H). Presence o...
Adair HS, Marcellin-Little DJ, Levine D.To assess validity and inter- and intra-tester reliability of equine goniometry and to establish values for carpal, metacarpophalangeal, tarsal, and metatarsophalangeal flexion and extension in horses. Methods: Seventeen healthy equine subjects of varied breeds were used. Methods: Three investigators blindly and independently measured in triplicate the extension and flexion of carpal, metacarpophalangeal, tarsal, and metatarsophalangeal joints of 17 horses after sedation. Radiographs of these joints in flexion and extension were acquired while under sedation. Goniometric and radiographic measu...
Reef VB, Boy MG, Reid CF, Elser A.The results of radiography and ultrasonography were compared on 56 horses and cows with lower respiratory tract disease. Ultrasonography was more sensitive than radiography for the detection of small pleural effusions and consolidations in large animals. The side of the thorax affected and the character of the pleural fluid and lung in large animals with pleural effusion can be evaluated ultrasonographically. The periphery of the lung must be affected to characterize pulmonary lesions ultrasonographically. Radiography is the best technique to characterize lesions deep within the lung when the ...
Lykkjen S, Roed KH, Dolvik NI.Developmental orthopaedic diseases (DOD) such as osteochondrosis (OC)/osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), palmar/plantar osteochondral fragments (POF), ununited palmar/plantar eminences (UPE) and dorsoproximal first phalanx fragments are well recognised in the horse. Aetiopathogeneses are controversial and molecular genetic screening of DNA has recently been employed for their elucidation. Precise phenotypic definition and knowledge of breed-specific prevalence and interrelations are essential for the interpretation of following genomic studies in Standardbred trotters. Objective: To assess the p...
Woodie JB, Ducharme NG, Kanter P, Hackett RP, Erb HN.Correct placement of sutures ('laryngeal tie-forward') in experimentally created dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) has been observed to replace the function of the thyrohyoideus muscles and prevent DDSP. Objective: The 'laryngeal tie-forward' procedure would prevent or delay the occurrence of DDSP during exercise in horses with naturally occurring DDSP and therefore improve performance. Methods: A clinical population (n = 116), mainly of racehorses was presented for treatment of naturally occurring exercise-induced DDSP. All horses underwent the 'laryngeal tie-forward' procedure. T...
Palmer JL, Bertone AL, McClain H.A modification of a colorimetric assay was used to determine synovial fluid total and individual sulphated-glycosaminoglycan concentration in various clinical presentations of joint disease in horses. Concentrations of synovial fluid and serum sulphated-glycosaminoglycan (GAG) were measured by the 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) dye assay in normal horses (n = 49), horses with acute (n = 26) or chronic (n = 27) joint disease (defined by clinical, radiographic, and clinicopathological parameters), and horses with cartilaginous lesions at diagnostic arthroscopy, but with normal radiographs and...
Tranquille CA, Murray RC, Parkin TD.Fractures of the lateral condyle of the third metacarpus (MC3) are a significant welfare concern in horseracing worldwide. Objective: The primary aim of this work was to identify magnetic resonance (MR) image-detectable prefracture markers that have the potential for use as a screening tool to identify horses at significant risk of catastrophic fracture. Methods: Case-control study of bone-level risk factors for fracture in racehorses. Methods: A total of 191 MC3s from horses, with and without lateral condylar fracture of MC3, were subjected to MR imaging. The depth of dense subchondral/trabec...
Fratzl P, Schreiber S, Boyde A.The size and the orientation of the bone salt (mineral) crystals in the cranial and caudal zones in the transverse midshaft section of the equine radius were investigated by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The results are interpreted as indicating that the crystals had an elongated shape with an average thickness of T = 3.17 +/- 0. 15 nm in the caudal region and T = 3.79 +/- 0.20 nm in the cranial region. Their orientation was predominantly in the longitudinal direction of the bone. There was no preferential orientation within the transverse plane. The distribution of tilt angles with res...
Stock KF, Distl O.Studbook inspection (SBI) data of 20 768 German Warmblood mares and radiography results (RR) data of 5102 Hanoverian Warmblood horses were used for genetic correlation analyses. The scores on a scale from 0 to 10 were given for conformation and basic quality of gaits, resulting in 14 SBI traits which were used for the correlation analyses. The radiographic findings considered included osseous fragments in fetlock (OFF) and hock joints (OFH), deforming arthropathy in hock joints (DAH) and distinct radiographic findings in the navicular bones (DNB) which were analyzed as binary traits, and radio...
Ricardi G, Dyson SJ.Eight horses had forelimb lameness which was considered unrelated to primary forelimb pain, but was associated with radiographic abnormalities of one or more cervical vertebrae. There was no evidence of ataxia or weakness. The degree and character of the forelimb lameness varied between horses. In 4 horses, selective local analgesic techniques were used to rule out lameness associated with pain in the forelimb. In the other 4 horses, radiographic examination of the cervical region was performed on the basis of forelimb lameness seen in conjunction with neck stiffness and/or neck pain. Three ho...
Vallance SA, Bell RJ, Spriet M, Kass PH, Puchalski SM.No previous study compares computed tomography (CT), contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) and standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging (LFMRI) to detect lesions in horses with lameness localised to the foot. This study will help clinicians understand the limitations of these techniques. Objective: To determine if CT, CECT and LFMRI would identify lesions within the distal limb and document discrepancies with lesion distribution and lesion classification. Methods: Lesions in specific structures identified on CT and MR images of feet (31 limbs) from the same horse were reviewed and ...
Gee C, Small A, Shorter K, Brown WY.Equine Caudal Cervical Morphologic Variation (ECCMV) is a congenital malformation of the caudal cervical spine distinct from the more commonly recognized Cervical Vertebral Stenotic Myelopathy (CVSM). The most common presentation of ECCMV is recognized on the sixth cervical vertebra (C6). In "normal" presentations, the transverse processes on the left and right sides have a caudal lamina projecting ventrally below the caudal vertebral body in a heel shape. With ECCMV, variations occur to the structure of the caudal ventral lamina on one or both sides of C6 and may include the seventh cervical ...
Russell J, Matika O, Russell T, Reardon RJ.Osteochondrosis is considered multifactorial in origin, with factors such as nutrition, conformation, body size, trauma and genetics thought to contribute to its pathogenesis. Few studies have investigated the effects of genetic variability of osteochondrosis in Thoroughbreds. Objective: To describe the prevalence and genetic variability of a subset of osteochondrosis lesions in a group of Thoroughbred yearlings. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Radiographs of 1962 Thoroughbred yearlings were retrieved from clinical records obtained between 2005 and 2013. Pedigree information was ...
Kirkland KD, Baker GJ, Manfra Marretta S, Eurell JA, Losonsky JM.To document age-related changes in the morphology of the endodontic system, reserve crown, and roots of equine mandibular cheek teeth. Methods: Equine mandibular cheek teeth from horses of various ages were compared, using radiography, x-ray computed tomography, and histologic examinations. Methods: 48 right hemi-mandibles from horses 2 to 9 years old. Methods: Hemi-mandibles were radiographed, imaged by computed tomographic reconstruction, and reformatted. Histologic examination was used to identify and correlate tissue types. Results: Permanent mandibular cheek teeth of the horse, at the tim...
Bröjer JT, Parsons DA, Linder KE, Peregrine AS, Dobson H.An 8-year-old, Arabian mare presented with acute progressive ataxia and a firm swelling over the right mandible. Radiographs revealed multiple radiolucent areas on the mandibles. The mare's neurological signs progressed, she was consequently euthanized. Postmortem examination revealed mandibular granulomatous reactions and meningoencephalitis due to the nematode Halicephalobus gingivalis.
Sleutjens J, Voorhout G, Van Der Kolk JH, Wijnberg ID, Back W.In dressage, the head and neck position has become an issue of concern as certain extreme positions may imply a welfare risk for the horse. In man, extension and flexion of the cervical spine cause a decrease and increase in intervertebral foramina dimensions, respectively. However, in horses, the influence of flexion and extension on foramina dimensions and its possible interference with peripheral nerve functioning remains unknown. Objective: To determine the effect of ex vivo flexion and extension on intervertebral foramina dimensions in the equine cervical spine. Methods: Computed tomograp...
Frisbie DD, McIlwraith CW, Kawcak CE, Werpy NM.A randomized blinded placebo controlled trial was conducted to assess the clinical, biochemical and histological effects of a hyaluronan, sodium chondroitin sulfate and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine combination (PG) administered through an intra-articular (IA) route for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) at the time of injury. OA was induced in one carpal joint of each of 16 horses. Horses were designated placebo or IA PG treated. All horses were treated with 125 mg amikacin sulfate IA and 5 mL physiological saline in the middle carpal joint bilaterally on study Days 0 (after induction of OA), 7, 1...
Shaffer SK, To C, Garcia TC, Fyhrie DP, Uzal FA, Stover SM.Proximal sesamoid bone (PSB) fracture is the most common fatal injury in Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses in the United States. Epidemiological and pathological evidence indicates PSB fracture is likely the acute culmination of a chronic stress-related process. However, the aetiopathogenesis of PSB fracture is poorly understood. Objective: To characterise bone abnormalities that precede PSB fracture. Methods: Two retrospective case-control groups of PSBs from TB racehorses with, and without, unilateral biaxial PSB fracture. Methods: Proximal sesamoid bones were harvested post-mortem from TB raceho...
Smith MA, Dyson SJ, Murray RC.The appearance of the equine metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint on high-field (1.5 T) vs. low-field standing (0.27 T) magnetic resonance (MR) images was evaluated. Objectives were (1) to describe the MR appearance of anatomic structures of clinical interest on images of the equine MCP joint obtained from 20 equine cadaver limbs from horses without lameness using high-field and low-field systems, (2) to categorize the clarity of appearance of anatomic structures on low-field MR images in comparison to high-field images as a gold standard. We found that larger anatomic structures were visible with ...
Billinghurst RC, Brama PA, van Weeren PR, Knowlton MS, McIlwraith CW.To determine whether serum concentrations of biomarkers of skeletal metabolism can, in conjunction with radiographic evaluation, indicate severity of osteochondrosis in developing horses. Methods: 43 Dutch Warmblood foals with varying severity of osteochondrosis. Methods: 24 foals were monitored for 5 months and 19 foals were monitored for 11 months. Monthly radiographs of femoropatellar-femorotibial and tibio-tarsal joints were graded for osteochondral abnormalities. Serial blood samples were assayed for 8 cartilage and bone biomarkers. At the end of the monitoring period, foals were examined...
McDonell WN, Hall LW, Jeffcott LB.Studies in conscious and anaesthetised ponies demonstrated that starvation, anaesthesia and changes in body position influence the radiographic appearance of the lungs in the lateral and dorsoventral views. Radiographic appearances could not be closely correlated with blood gas values, but they suggested that the volume of the lowermost lung of the laterally recumbent animal is greatly reduced.
