Clinical application and prognostic value of computed tomography examination in foals diagnosed with osteomyelitis: Forty-four cases.
Abstract: Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly recognized as superior to conventional imaging methods for diagnosing osteomyelitis in foals. However, comprehensive studies in this area are limited. This study aims to report on clinical cases of osteomyelitis in foals, establishing a relationship between CT findings and survival outcomes. Additionally, it compares CT imaging with conventional methods such as radiography and ultrasound. We hypothesized that CT variables would more accurately predict survival than other clinical factors and provide more detailed information about osteomyelitis lesions. This retrospective study included foals presenting at a single equine referral hospital between July 2019 and December 2022. Inclusion criteria were: (1) foals less than 9 months of age, (2) presumptive clinical diagnosis of osteomyelitis, and (3) CT examination for further evaluation. Forty-four foals met the criteria; 29 (66%) survived to discharge, and 23 (55%) had long-term survival. Key variables associated with survival included joint collapse (P = .011, OR, 0.054, 95% CI, 0.006-0.506) and lesions in multiple locations (P = .015, OR, 0.19, 95% CI, 0.05-0.7). In 93% of cases, CT examination modified the diagnosis, revealing improved lesion localization (72%), lesion size (76%), or detecting additional lesions (45%). Common lesions involved the axial and proximal appendicular skeletons, with 8 foals (18%) having only axial skeleton involvement and 5 (11%) presenting with both axial and appendicular lesions. Coxofemoral joint involvement was diagnosed in 12 foals (27%), while pelvic lesions were found in 8 (18%). These findings underscore the critical role of CT in identifying and localizing complex lesions, ultimately improving prognostic assessments.
© 2024 American College of Veterinary Radiology.
Publication Date: 2024-12-17 PubMed ID: 39681986DOI: 10.1111/vru.13475Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study evaluates the use of computed tomography (CT) in diagnosing osteomyelitis, a bone infection, in foals, and its relationship with survival outcomes. The findings suggest that CT offers superior information regarding the disease compared to conventional imaging techniques and could better predict survival.
Introduction
- Osteomyelitis is a serious bone infection that impacts foals or young horses. Detecting it early is crucial for successful treatment and survival.
- The study hypothesized that computed tomography (CT), an imaging procedure, would provide more accurate prediction of survival and detailed information about the disease compared to traditional methods such as radiography and ultrasound.
Methods
- The retrospective study observed foals diagnosed with osteomyelitis that presented at one equine referral hospital between July 2019 and December 2022.
- The foals included in the study had to be under 9 months of age, have a clinical diagnosis of osteomyelitis, and have undergone a CT examination for further evaluation.
Results
- Of the 44 foals that met the inclusion criteria, 29 (66%) survived to discharge and 23 (55%) had long-term survival.
- Survival was significantly associated with certain key variables such as joint collapse and the presence of lesions in multiple locations.
- In 93% of cases, the CT scan revised the original diagnosis by improving lesion localization in 72% of cases, providing information on lesion size in 76% of cases, or detecting additional lesions in 45% of cases.
Discussion
- Commonly affected areas included the axial and proximal appendicular skeletons, with fewer cases involving only the axial skeleton or both axial and appendicular lesions.
- Coxofemoral joint involvement was diagnosed in 12 foals (27%), while pelvic lesions were found in 8 (18%).
- The findings emphasized the critical role CT scans play in accurately identifying and localizing complex lesions, an essential factor in improving prognostic assessments.
Conclusion
- Overall, the study supports the hypothesis that CT imaging is superior to conventional methods in diagnosing osteomyelitis in foals.
- CT imaging provides more accurate survival predictions, key information on the size and location of lesions, and in some cases, can identify additional lesions that are missed by other tests.
Cite This Article
APA
Buyck C, Zani DD, Robert M, Gustafsson K.
(2024).
Clinical application and prognostic value of computed tomography examination in foals diagnosed with osteomyelitis: Forty-four cases.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 66(1), e13475.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.13475 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Centre Hospitalier Vétérinaire Equin de Livet, Livarot Pays d'Auge, France.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences-DIVAS, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy.
- Centre Hospitalier Vétérinaire Equin de Livet, Livarot Pays d'Auge, France.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences-DIVAS, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Osteomyelitis / veterinary
- Osteomyelitis / diagnostic imaging
- Osteomyelitis / mortality
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / mortality
- Retrospective Studies
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
- Prognosis
- Male
- Female
- Animals, Newborn
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