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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Radiol Ultrasound / Computed tomographic evaluation of the distal limb in the st...
Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association2022; 64(2); 243-252; doi: 10.1111/vru.13182

Computed tomographic evaluation of the distal limb in the standing sedated horse: Technique, imaging diagnoses, feasibility, and artifacts.

Abstract: In several veterinary institutions, adjustments of CT machines have been made that allow for imaging of the standing horse. The risk of general anesthesia is eliminated and the shorter scan completion time reduces cost to clients. The objective of this retrospective, analytical study was to evaluate the technique, imaging diagnoses, feasibility, and image artifacts of multi-slice helical CT of horses' distal limbs acquired under standing sedation. The CT images of 250 horses of various breeds, aged 3-23 years, that underwent standing distal limb CT were evaluated. Three observers assessed the CT images for artifacts and inter-observer agreement was calculated. Eighty-six percent (95% confidence interval (CI), 81-90) of the scans were carried out on the forelimbs, while 14% (95% CI, 10-19) were of the hindlimbs. A total of 65% (95% CI, 59-71) of horses that underwent standing sedated CT had single imaging diagnoses. Seventy-one percent (95% CI, 65-77) of the cases had unilateral lesions, 27% (95% CI, 22-33) had bilateral lesions and 2% (95% CI, 1-4) had no diagnosed lesions. The average CT acquisition time was 17.5 minutes (range = 15-20). The average number of acquisitions per horse was 1.7 (median = 1; range = 1-4). There was good to excellent agreement between all three observers for the presence of motion artifact in the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joints, identification of marked beam hardening artifact, mild solar/ skin dirt, and photon starvation artifact (kappa 0.61-0.80). No complications were encountered. Standing examination of the distal limb achieved diagnostic image quality that was obtained with minimal acquisition attempts and in a timely manner.
© 2022 The Authors. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Radiology.
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Publication Date: 2022-11-14 PubMed ID: 36373276DOI: 10.1111/vru.13182Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

This research paper investigates the efficacy and feasibility of using computed tomography (CT) scans on the standing, sedated horses to examine their distal limbs. The study shows that this method provides valuable diagnostic information while minimizing potential risks associated with general anesthesia and reducing costs.

Study Technique and Participants

  • The research is a retrospective, analytical study that reviewed CT images of 250 horses of different breeds aged between 3-23 years.
  • These horses all underwent CT scans of their distal limbs while in a standing and sedated state.
  • Three observers evaluated the CT images for any artifacts (distortions or anomalies), and the level of agreement between these observers was calculated.

CT Scan Findings

  • Approximately 86% of the scans were conducted on the forelimbs and 14% on the hindlimbs of the horses.
  • 65% of the horses yielded a single diagnostic result from the CT scan, indicating a specific diagnosis could be made from the scan.
  • Out of all the cases, 71% had lesions or injuries on one side (unilateral lesions), 27% on both sides (bilateral lesions), and in 2% of the scans, no lesions were diagnosed.
  • The average time taken for CT scan acquisition was 17.5 minutes. The average number of acquisitions, or scan attempts, per horse was 1.7.

Inter-Observer Agreement and Image Artifacts

  • There was a good to excellent inter-observer agreement (kappa 0.61-0.80) on the presence of motion artifacts in the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joints, which indicates consistency between the observers.
  • Observers also agreed on identifying the marked beam hardening artifact, mild solar/skin dirt, and photon starvation artifact, all of which are common distortions or anomalies in CT imaging.
  • No complications were encountered during the study, reiterating the safety of this altered CT scanning technique.

Conclusion

  • The study concludes that standing examination of the distal limb using CT achieved diagnostic image quality that was obtained with minimal acquisition attempts and in a timely manner.
  • This makes the technique a viable alternative to traditional methods, offering the additional benefits of circumventing the risks associated with the general anesthesia and potential cost savings.

Cite This Article

APA
Mathee N, Robert M, Higgerty SM, Fosgate GT, Rogers AL, d'Ablon X, Carstens A. (2022). Computed tomographic evaluation of the distal limb in the standing sedated horse: Technique, imaging diagnoses, feasibility, and artifacts. Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 64(2), 243-252. https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.13182

Publication

Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association
ISSN: 1740-8261
NlmUniqueID: 9209635
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 64
Issue: 2
Pages: 243-252

Researcher Affiliations

Mathee, Nicoli
  • Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
Robert, Mickaël
  • Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
Higgerty, Sheelagh Margaret
  • Crowthorne Veterinary Clinic, Midrand, South Africa.
Fosgate, Geoffrey T
  • Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
Rogers, Angela L
  • Blue Hills Veterinary Hospital, Midrand, South Africa.
d'Ablon, Xavier
  • Clinique Vétérinaire de la Côte Fleurie, Deauville, France.
Carstens, Ann
  • Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
  • School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Artifacts
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Forelimb / diagnostic imaging

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