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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Rec / Comparison of high-field and low-field magnetic resonance im...
The Veterinary record2009; 165(10); 281-288; doi: 10.1136/vr.165.10.281

Comparison of high-field and low-field magnetic resonance images of cadaver limbs of horses.

Abstract: Eleven limbs taken postmortem from 10 lame horses were examined by MRI in a low-field 0.27T system designed for standing horses and a high-field 1.5T system used to examine anaesthetised horses. Nine limbs were examined in the foot/pastern region and two in the fetlock region, and the results were compared with gross pathological examinations and histological examinations of selected tissues. The appearance of normal tissues was similar between the two systems, but the anatomical arrangement of the structures was different due to differences in positioning, and a magic angle artefact was observed at different sites in some imaging sequences. Articular cartilage could be differentiated into two articular surfaces in most joints in the high-field images but could generally be separated only at the joint margins in the low-field images. Abnormalities of tendon, ligament and bone detected by gross examination were detected by both forms of MRI, but some details were clearer on the high-field images. Articular cartilage found to be normal on pathological examination was also classified as normal on MRI, but lesions in articular cartilage detected on pathological examination were identified only by high-field MRI. An abnormality was detected on MRI of all the limbs that had abnormal navicular flexor fibrocartilage on pathological examination.
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Publication Date: 2009-09-08 PubMed ID: 19734560DOI: 10.1136/vr.165.10.281Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article

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.

The research studied the effectiveness of high-field and low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in examining the limbs of deceased horses. It found that while both types of MRI can detect abnormalities in tissues, high-field MRI revealed finer details, particularly in the articular cartilage.

Study Design and Methodology

  • The researchers used eleven limbs from ten different horses that were suffering from lameness. The postmortem examination was done using MRI.
  • For the imaging tests, a low-field 0.27T system was used which is normally used for standing horses. On the other hand, a high-field 1.5T system, which is typically used for anaesthetised horses, was also utilized.
  • The foot/pastern region was examined in nine limbs while the fetlock region was observed in two limbs.
  • The results of these MRIs were then compared with the gross pathological examinations and histological examinations done on selected tissues from the same limbs.

Findings of the Study

  • The normal tissues appeared similar in both the low-field and high-field MRI systems. Differences in the anatomical arrangement of the structures were attributed to diffferent positions in the MRI machines.
  • A phenomenon known as ‘magic angle artefact’ was seen at different sites in some imaging sequences.
  • High-field MRI allowed differentiation of articular cartilage into two articular surfaces in most joints. In contrast, low-field MRI images generally only separated these surfaces at the joints’ margins.
  • Abnormalities in tendon, ligament, and bone detected in the gross examination were also detected in both MRI systems. High-field images, however, provided clearer detail on such abnormalities.
  • Lesions found in the articular cartilage during pathological examinations were only recognized via high-field MRI.
  • All limbs with abnormal pathology in the navicular flexor fibrocartilage were also identified as having abnormalities through MRI.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The research indicates that while both forms of MRI – high-field and low-field – can detect abnormalities in the limbs of horses, high-field MRI tends to provide more detailed information.
  • This can be particularly crucial for diagnosing lesions in the articular cartilage, thereby aiding more effective treatments for lameness in horses.
  • The findings suggest an advantage in using high-field MRI systems when examining horses, especially if cartilage issues are suspected.

Cite This Article

APA
Murray RC, Mair TS, Sherlock CE, Blunden AS. (2009). Comparison of high-field and low-field magnetic resonance images of cadaver limbs of horses. Vet Rec, 165(10), 281-288. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.165.10.281

Publication

The Veterinary record
ISSN: 0042-4900
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 165
Issue: 10
Pages: 281-288

Researcher Affiliations

Murray, R C
  • Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket CB8 7UU, UK.
Mair, T S
    Sherlock, C E
      Blunden, A S

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Cadaver
        • Cartilage / pathology
        • Foot / pathology
        • Foot Diseases / diagnosis
        • Foot Diseases / pathology
        • Foot Diseases / veterinary
        • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
        • Horse Diseases / pathology
        • Horses
        • Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
        • Lameness, Animal / pathology
        • Ligaments / pathology
        • Lower Extremity / pathology
        • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
        • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
        • Tendons / pathology

        Citations

        This article has been cited 13 times.
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          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.675180pubmed: 34291100google scholar: lookup
        7. Evrard L, Audigié F, Bertoni L, Jacquet S, Denoix JM, Busoni V. Low field magnetic resonance imaging of the equine distal interphalangeal joint: Comparison between weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions. PLoS One 2019;14(1):e0211101.
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        10. Aßmann AD, Sànchez-Andrade JS, Argüelles D, Bischofberger AS. Does Low-Field MRI Tenography Improve the Detection of Naturally Occurring Manica Flexoria Tears in Horses?. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 31;15(15).
          doi: 10.3390/ani15152250pubmed: 40805040google scholar: lookup
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        12. Turek B, Pawlikowski M, Jankowski K, Borowska M, Skierbiszewska K, Jasiński T, Domino M. Selection of density standard and X-ray tube settings for computed digital absorptiometry in horses using the k-means clustering algorithm. BMC Vet Res 2025 Mar 13;21(1):165.
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        13. Aßmann A, Ohlerth S, Hartmann S, Torgerson P, Bischofberger A. Does Direct MRI Tenography Improve the Diagnostic Performance of Low-Field MRI to Identify Artificially Created Soft-Tissue Lesions within the Equine Cadaveric Digital Flexor Tendon Sheath?. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 7;13(24).
          doi: 10.3390/ani13243772pubmed: 38136809google scholar: lookup
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