Antemortem evaluation for magnetic resonance imaging of the equine flexor tendon.

This research conducted a study on live horses examining their flexor tendons using magnetic resonance imaging to get images equivalent in clarity to what was earlier possible only postmortem.

Objective and Methodology

• The main objective of this study was to successfully perform and analyse antemortem (before death) Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging of equine (horse) flexor tendons. Traditionally, these tendons are only evaluated postmortem (after death) with MR imaging.
• Two main tendons of horses were the subject of this study – the superficial digital flexor tendon and the deep digital flexor tendon.
• In order to set up the MR scanner correctly, the researchers used postmortem flexor tendons to establish the correct slice positions, coil positions and body positions before using it to image live animals.

Findings and Significance

• The researchers successfully obtained antemortem MR images of equine limbs that were of comparable quality to previously described postmortem images. This suggests the validity of this method as it can distinctly identify tendon features in live horses.
• The scanning process for each horse took about 40 minutes, a feasible duration for clinical implementation.
• This study is ground-breaking as it is the first to report successfully obtaining antemortem MR images in horses, paving the way for future diagnostic tools for horses that are less invasive and more timely.

Implications and Future Research

• The ability to perform antemortem MR imaging in horses can potentially increase early detection of tendon issues, assisting in providing quicker and more effective treatment or intervention.
• Future studies could refine and further develop this antemortem MR imaging technology, making it more efficient, precise, and potentially cheaper.
• This study sets a precedent for similar research in other animal species, potentially broadening its use across veterinary science.