The thorax of a horse is a complex anatomical region that encompasses the chest cavity, housing vital organs such as the heart and lungs. It is supported by the ribcage, which provides protection and structural integrity. The thoracic region plays a significant role in respiratory function and overall locomotion, as it contributes to the horse's ability to breathe efficiently and maintain endurance during physical activity. This section includes peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the anatomy, physiology, and clinical assessments of the equine thorax, focusing on aspects such as respiratory health, thoracic injuries, and diagnostic imaging techniques used in veterinary practice.
Arnold LC, Stout TAE, Claes ANJ.Management of twin pregnancy after conceptus vesicle fixation in the horse is challenging because the reduction techniques described are either invasive, difficult to perform or associated with disappointing success rates. Objective: To evaluate the success of transrectal ultrasound-guided fetal thorax compression for reducing post-fixation twin pregnancy in mares. Methods: Retrospective clinical study. Methods: Sixteen mares were presented for twin reduction between 51 and 79 days of gestation. History obtained from the owner and/or referring veterinarian detailed information regarding the ...
Sprayberry KA.Diagnostic imaging can substantially augment physical examination findings in neonatal foals. Used in combination with radiography or as a stand-alone imaging modality, ultrasound evaluation of the thoracic and abdominal body cavities can be a high-yield diagnostic undertaking. Many of the conditions that afflict neonatal foals are highly amenable to sonographic interrogation, including pneumonia and other changes in the lungs associated with sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, multiple organ dysfunction, and prematurity; colic arising from medical and surgical causes; and urinary...
Hessler C, Eckert V, Vettorazzi E, Meenen N, Jürgens C, Schult M, Flamme C, Herberhold HJ, Madert J, Ekkernkamp A, Lockemann U, Püschel K, Pohlenz P.Despite the benefit of safety vests to the reduction of torso injuries in children and adolescents is unclear, its' use is recommended. The aim of the present study is to determine the effectiveness of safety vests actually used in pediatric equestrian activities. Methods: In this case-control-study, we analyzed the accidents of 92 riders aged 18 or younger who fell off a horse onto his/her torso during a period of 18 months. Data were gathered from the clinical records. Additionally, a questionnaire was administered on the day of trauma by the patients and/or their parents. Results: The cases...
Axon JE, Russell CM, Begg AP, Adkins AR.A 10-month-old Thoroughbred filly was presented with a 2-month history of recurrent fever and pleural effusion. Major clinical findings were pyrexia and congested mucous membranes. Clinical pathology tests revealed an erythrocytosis, hyperfibrinogenaemia and hyperglobulinaemia. Pleural fluid was seen on ultrasonographic examination of the thorax and analysis of a thoracocentesis sample indicated a lymphocytic, modified transudate. A transtracheal aspirate was normal. The erythrocytosis persisted despite IV fluid therapy. Arterial blood gas analysis and bone marrow aspirate were normal. These f...
De Clercq D, van Loon G, Lefère L, Deprez P.An ultrasound examination of the thorax of three horses which were performing poorly or had mild signs of colic showed that they had a cranial mediastinal mass and a pleural effusion. A cytological examination of the pleural fluid showed that it did not contain neoplastic cells. A histological examination of an ultrasound-guided core biopsy of the cranial mediastinal mass showed that in each of the three horses it was a lymphosarcoma.
Scarratt WK, Crisman MV.Tumors of the equine respiratory tract occur infrequently. An accurate diagnosis of neoplasia of the respiratory tract is critical because the prognosis is usually grave. The clinical signs and diagnostic procedures are discussed for tumors of the nasal and paranasal sinuses, nasopharynx/larynx, guttural pouch and thorax including lung, pleura, and thymus.
Dechan J.Medical management was unable to prevent the development of an extrapulmonary abscess in a 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding with anaerobic pleuropneumonia. Intercostal thoracostomy achieved drainage of the abscess. Resolution of the abscess and subsequent bronchopleural fistulas was monitored by ultrasonography and video-endoscopy. The horse returned to training 4 mo after discharge.
Everett KA, Chaffin MK, Brinsko SP.A diaphragmatic hernia in which 90% of the large colon had herniated through a 16-cm linear tear in the diaphragm was found in a 12-year-old Quarter Horse mare. Clinical signs included lethargy and exercise intolerance. Diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia was made based on careful thoracic auscultation, combined with ultrasonographic and radiographic examination of the thorax.
Sweeney CR, Gillette DM.Thirty-two horses and 3 ponies had neoplasia involving the thoracic cavity. Lymphosarcoma of the thorax was found in 19 (54.2%) of the equids. The other 16 equids had metastatic adenocarcinoma (7 horses; 20%), metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (5 equids; 14.3%), metastatic hemangiosarcoma (3 equids; 8.6%) or undifferentiated sarcoma (1 horse; 2.9%). Thoracic neoplasia was diagnosed before death in 15 equids (42.9%).
Mackey VS, Wheat JD.PLEUROSCOPY is a diagnostic technique in which a flexible
or rigid endoscope is used to examine the pleural space.
Although pleuroscopy is a relatively new technique in equine
medicine, it has been used for some time in human medicine
(Jacobaeus 1910, 1925; Lloyd 1953). It is most often used in
human patients to explore the thoracic cavity of persons with
undiagnosed pleural effusions when more conservative
methods, such as percutaneous lung or pleural biopsy, have
been unsuccessful in providing a diagnosis (Hatch and
Decamp 1966; Decamp, Mosely, Scott and Hatch 1973;
Gwin et a1 1975...
Bristol DG, Fubini SL.Lipomas involving the musculoskeletal system were seen in 3 horses. The lipomas were on the thorax of 2 horses and the stifle of the third horse. The thoracic lipomas were surgically removed. No recurrence has been noted by 8 months in either case. The lipoma on the stifle had invaded the surrounding tissue and the horse was euthanatized. Unlike mesenteric lipomas, which occur in older horses, these lipomas all occurred in horses less than 2 years of age.
Sanderson GN, O'Callaghan MW.This article describes the gross radiographic anatomy of the equine thorax observed on the lateral radiographic projection. The descriptions presented were derived from a retrospective study of a large number of thoracic radiographs of cases referred to the Massey University clinic in conjunction with research studies in bronchography, angiography and in vitro contrast techniques. The characteristics of the thoracic bony structures, the vasculature, and the airways are examined separately; followed by a discussion of the relative contribution of the various structures to the overall thoracic r...
Kramer JW, Nickels FA, Bell T.Examination of effusions from body cavities must include a search for neoplastic as well as inflammatory cells. Neoplastic cells found in the thorax are generally derived from adenocarcinomas or mesotheliomas. Mesotheliomas are relatively uncommon and the neoplastic cells found in effusions are difficult to differentiate from activated cells in inflammatory effusions. An ante-mortem diagnosis of mesothelioma was made in a mare on the basis of the large volume of fluid produced, the pleomorphic mesothelial cells, the polyp formation and the absence of PAS staining material after digestion of th...
Hessler C, Eckert V, Vettorazzi E, Meenen N, Jürgens C, Schult M, Flamme C, Herberhold HJ, Madert J, Ekkernkamp A, Lockemann U, Püschel K, Pohlenz P.Despite the benefit of safety vests to the reduction of torso injuries in children and adolescents is unclear, its' use is recommended. The aim of the present study is to determine the effectiveness of safety vests actually used in pediatric equestrian activities. Methods: In this case-control-study, we analyzed the accidents of 92 riders aged 18 or younger who fell off a horse onto his/her torso during a period of 18 months. Data were gathered from the clinical records. Additionally, a questionnaire was administered on the day of trauma by the patients and/or their parents. Results: The cases...
Mackey VS, Wheat JD.PLEUROSCOPY is a diagnostic technique in which a flexible
or rigid endoscope is used to examine the pleural space.
Although pleuroscopy is a relatively new technique in equine
medicine, it has been used for some time in human medicine
(Jacobaeus 1910, 1925; Lloyd 1953). It is most often used in
human patients to explore the thoracic cavity of persons with
undiagnosed pleural effusions when more conservative
methods, such as percutaneous lung or pleural biopsy, have
been unsuccessful in providing a diagnosis (Hatch and
Decamp 1966; Decamp, Mosely, Scott and Hatch 1973;
Gwin et a1 1975...
Sprayberry KA.Diagnostic imaging can substantially augment physical examination findings in neonatal foals. Used in combination with radiography or as a stand-alone imaging modality, ultrasound evaluation of the thoracic and abdominal body cavities can be a high-yield diagnostic undertaking. Many of the conditions that afflict neonatal foals are highly amenable to sonographic interrogation, including pneumonia and other changes in the lungs associated with sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, multiple organ dysfunction, and prematurity; colic arising from medical and surgical causes; and urinary...
Scarratt WK, Crisman MV.Tumors of the equine respiratory tract occur infrequently. An accurate diagnosis of neoplasia of the respiratory tract is critical because the prognosis is usually grave. The clinical signs and diagnostic procedures are discussed for tumors of the nasal and paranasal sinuses, nasopharynx/larynx, guttural pouch and thorax including lung, pleura, and thymus.
Axon JE, Russell CM, Begg AP, Adkins AR.A 10-month-old Thoroughbred filly was presented with a 2-month history of recurrent fever and pleural effusion. Major clinical findings were pyrexia and congested mucous membranes. Clinical pathology tests revealed an erythrocytosis, hyperfibrinogenaemia and hyperglobulinaemia. Pleural fluid was seen on ultrasonographic examination of the thorax and analysis of a thoracocentesis sample indicated a lymphocytic, modified transudate. A transtracheal aspirate was normal. The erythrocytosis persisted despite IV fluid therapy. Arterial blood gas analysis and bone marrow aspirate were normal. These f...
Dechan J.Medical management was unable to prevent the development of an extrapulmonary abscess in a 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding with anaerobic pleuropneumonia. Intercostal thoracostomy achieved drainage of the abscess. Resolution of the abscess and subsequent bronchopleural fistulas was monitored by ultrasonography and video-endoscopy. The horse returned to training 4 mo after discharge.
Kramer JW, Nickels FA, Bell T.Examination of effusions from body cavities must include a search for neoplastic as well as inflammatory cells. Neoplastic cells found in the thorax are generally derived from adenocarcinomas or mesotheliomas. Mesotheliomas are relatively uncommon and the neoplastic cells found in effusions are difficult to differentiate from activated cells in inflammatory effusions. An ante-mortem diagnosis of mesothelioma was made in a mare on the basis of the large volume of fluid produced, the pleomorphic mesothelial cells, the polyp formation and the absence of PAS staining material after digestion of th...
Bristol DG, Fubini SL.Lipomas involving the musculoskeletal system were seen in 3 horses. The lipomas were on the thorax of 2 horses and the stifle of the third horse. The thoracic lipomas were surgically removed. No recurrence has been noted by 8 months in either case. The lipoma on the stifle had invaded the surrounding tissue and the horse was euthanatized. Unlike mesenteric lipomas, which occur in older horses, these lipomas all occurred in horses less than 2 years of age.
Everett KA, Chaffin MK, Brinsko SP.A diaphragmatic hernia in which 90% of the large colon had herniated through a 16-cm linear tear in the diaphragm was found in a 12-year-old Quarter Horse mare. Clinical signs included lethargy and exercise intolerance. Diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia was made based on careful thoracic auscultation, combined with ultrasonographic and radiographic examination of the thorax.
Sanderson GN, O'Callaghan MW.This article describes the gross radiographic anatomy of the equine thorax observed on the lateral radiographic projection. The descriptions presented were derived from a retrospective study of a large number of thoracic radiographs of cases referred to the Massey University clinic in conjunction with research studies in bronchography, angiography and in vitro contrast techniques. The characteristics of the thoracic bony structures, the vasculature, and the airways are examined separately; followed by a discussion of the relative contribution of the various structures to the overall thoracic r...
De Clercq D, van Loon G, Lefère L, Deprez P.An ultrasound examination of the thorax of three horses which were performing poorly or had mild signs of colic showed that they had a cranial mediastinal mass and a pleural effusion. A cytological examination of the pleural fluid showed that it did not contain neoplastic cells. A histological examination of an ultrasound-guided core biopsy of the cranial mediastinal mass showed that in each of the three horses it was a lymphosarcoma.
Sweeney CR, Gillette DM.Thirty-two horses and 3 ponies had neoplasia involving the thoracic cavity. Lymphosarcoma of the thorax was found in 19 (54.2%) of the equids. The other 16 equids had metastatic adenocarcinoma (7 horses; 20%), metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (5 equids; 14.3%), metastatic hemangiosarcoma (3 equids; 8.6%) or undifferentiated sarcoma (1 horse; 2.9%). Thoracic neoplasia was diagnosed before death in 15 equids (42.9%).
Arnold LC, Stout TAE, Claes ANJ.Management of twin pregnancy after conceptus vesicle fixation in the horse is challenging because the reduction techniques described are either invasive, difficult to perform or associated with disappointing success rates. Objective: To evaluate the success of transrectal ultrasound-guided fetal thorax compression for reducing post-fixation twin pregnancy in mares. Methods: Retrospective clinical study. Methods: Sixteen mares were presented for twin reduction between 51 and 79 days of gestation. History obtained from the owner and/or referring veterinarian detailed information regarding the ...
