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Equine veterinary journal2020; 53(3); 469-480; doi: 10.1111/evj.13330

Clinical magnetic resonance image quality of the equine foot is significantly influenced by acquisition system.

Abstract: Investigation of image quality in clinical equine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging may optimise diagnostic value. Objective: To assess the influence of field strength and anaesthesia on image quality in MR imaging of the equine foot in a clinical context. Methods: Analytical clinical study. Methods: Fifteen equine foot studies (five studies per system) were randomly selected from the clinical databases of three MR imaging systems: low-field standing (LF St), low-field anaesthetised (LF GA) and high-field anaesthetised (HF GA). Ten experienced observers graded image quality for entire studies and seven clinically important anatomical structures within the foot (briefly, grade 1: textbook quality, grade 2: high diagnostic quality, grade 3: satisfactory diagnostic quality, grade 4: non-diagnostic). Statistical analysis assessed the effect of anaesthesia and field strength using a combination of the Pearson chi-square test or Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney test. Results: There was no difference in the proportion of entire studies of diagnostic quality between LF St (90%, 95% CI 78%-97%) and LF GA (88%, 76-95%, P = .7). No differences were evident in the proportion of diagnostic studies or median image quality gradings between LF St and LF GA when assessing individual anatomical structures (both groups all median grades = 3). There was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of entire studies of diagnostic quality between LF GA and HF GA (100%, 95% CI lower bound 94%, P = .03). There were statistically significant differences in median image quality gradings between LF GA (all median grades = 3) and HF GA (median grades = 1 (5/7 structures) or 2 (2/7 structures) for all individual anatomical structures (all P < .001). The reasons reported for reduced image quality differed between systems. Conclusions: Randomised selection of cases from clinical databases. Individual observer preferences may influence image quality assessment. Conclusions: Field strength is a more important influencer of image quality than anaesthesia for magnetic resonance imaging of the equine foot in clinical patients.
© 2020 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2020-09-05 PubMed ID: 32767582DOI: 10.1111/evj.13330Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research explores the impact of magnetic resonance (MR) image acquisition systems and anaesthesia on the quality of clinical images of horse’s feet. It finds that the field strength of the imaging system plays a more significant role in the image quality than the use of anaesthesia.

Study Design and Methodology

In conducting the study, researchers selected fifteen randomly equine foot studies from the databases of three distinct MR imaging systems. These systems include low-field standing (LS St), low-field anaesthetised (LF GA), and high-field anaesthetised (HF GA). The selection incorporated five studies per system. Ten expert observers assessed the image quality for entire studies and seven clinically important anatomical structures in the foot.

This assessment applied a grading scale from one to four, where one represented textbook quality, and four reflected non-diagnostic quality. The research combined the Pearson chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test and Mann-Whitney test for statistical analysis. This was conducted to evaluate the influence of field strength and anaesthesia on the image quality.

Results and Findings

  • The results revealed no significant difference in the proportion of diagnostic quality studies between LF St and LF GA. Both had median image quality grades equal to three when evaluating individual anatomical structures.
  • There were substantial differences in the diagnostic quality proportions between LF GA and HF GA.
  • Field strength introduced significant differences in the median quality gradings between LF GA and HF GA. The LF GA system averaged a median grade of 3 across all anatomical structures, while the HF GA system recorded median grades of either 1 or 2.

Conclusion

The research concluded that field strength is a more critical determinant of image quality than anaesthesia in clinical equine foot MR imaging. This underscores the necessity of prioritizing field strength when considering system equipment for equine foot magnetic resonance imaging in a clinical setting. However, the study recognized that individual observer preferences might influence the image quality assessment. Distinct factors affected the quality of images obtained via different systems. Therefore, the research suggests random selection of cases from clinical databases.

Cite This Article

APA
Byrne CA, Marshall JF, Voute LC. (2020). Clinical magnetic resonance image quality of the equine foot is significantly influenced by acquisition system. Equine Vet J, 53(3), 469-480. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13330

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 3
Pages: 469-480

Researcher Affiliations

Byrne, Christian A
  • Weipers Centre Equine Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Marshall, John F
  • Weipers Centre Equine Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Voute, Lance C
  • Weipers Centre Equine Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Foot
  • Horses
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • SPrj033 / Horserace Betting Levy Board

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Underberg BA, Kaessmeyer S, Schweizer D, Drews B, Van der Vekens E. Non-contrast enhanced visualization of the equine foot vasculature in a cadaver model using time-of-flight sequence. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1585940.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1585940pubmed: 40756806google scholar: lookup
  2. Bowkett-Pritchard C, Bolt DM, Chang YM, Berner D. Measurements of equine foot parameters show limited agreement between radiographs and low-field magnetic resonance imaging. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1231-1244.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14536pubmed: 40574279google scholar: lookup
  3. Scharf A, Acutt E, Bills K, Werpy N. Magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing and managing deep digital flexor tendinopathy in equine athletes: Insights, advances and future directions. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1183-1203.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14508pubmed: 40314097google scholar: lookup
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