Computed tomographic features of apical infection of equine maxillary cheek teeth: a retrospective study of 49 horses.

This study uses computed tomographic (CT) scans to evaluate the common features of apical infections in horses’ maxillary cheek teeth. The research highlights the types of infections that occur most frequently in certain teeth, providing a better understanding of the symptoms to facilitate improved treatment strategies.

Study Purpose and Methodology

• The purpose of this study was twofold. Firstly, the researchers wanted to determine the prevalence of individual CT features in horses with and without clinical evidence of apical infection in maxillary cheek teeth. Secondly, they sought to better understand the relationship between these CT features.
• The study was conducted retrospectively, examining multislice CT scans of the heads of 49 horses. The researchers specifically evaluated changes in various components of the maxillary cheek teeth including the infundibulum, pulp, root, lamina dura, periodontal space, and alveolar bone.

Research Findings

• The results showed that individual CT changes were more prevalent in the 28 horses that had clinical signs of apical infections. Specifically, the changes were common in the infundibulum and in horses where the lamina dura wasn’t detectable. This indicates some level of correlation between these features and the occurrence of apical infections.
• Furthermore, the researchers found that CT abnormalities in the pulp, root, periapical bone, and periodontal space, as well as the presence of a tooth fracture, were significantly linked, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the manifestations of these infections.
• Despite these findings, the study emphasized that a nondetectable lamina dura was the most frequently observed CT change in all teeth across both groups of horses. However, in most cases, it was a solitary feature in otherwise normal teeth, suggesting that it could be considered an anomaly or a normal feature due to its minor thickness or low resolution in the imaging method.

Conclusions and Implications

• The findings indicate that combined CT changes in the pulp, root, lamina dura, periapical bone, and periodontal space, together with the presence of a tooth fracture, can be reliable indicators to diagnose apical infection in the maxillary cheek teeth of horses.
• As such, these results could inform more accurate and efficient diagnostic processes. Although a nondetectable lamina dura is the most frequent CT change in all teeth, this should be interpreted cautiously, as it may often be a normal feature or an anomaly caused by imaging limitations.