Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the equine head.
Abstract: Horses are frequently presented with clinical conditions warranting diagnostic imaging of the head. Unfortunately, evaluation of the equine head can be difficult using conventional radiography. The anatomic complexity and superimposition of the osseous, dental, and soft tissue structures complicate radiographic interpretation and diagnoses. Multiple radiographic projections may be necessary to image specific regions, and side-to-side comparison is often essential.
Publication Date: 2001-08-08 PubMed ID: 11488040DOI: 10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30079-2Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Review
- Anatomy
- Bones
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Study
- Clinical Symptoms
- Computed Tomography
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Imaging Techniques
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Radiology
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Procedure
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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The research paper is focusing on the effectiveness of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnosing medical conditions in the heads of horses, and the challenges posed by conventional radiography methods.
Challenges with Traditional Radiography
- The study begins by spotlighting the eminent obstacles associated with the traditional techniques of radiography for the translation of equine anatomy. Radiographs of a horse’s head can be difficult to interpret due to the overlapping of various interrelated components like osseous, dental, and soft tissue structures, thus posing a barrier in proposing a precise diagnostic assessment.
Necessity of Multiple Radiographic Projections
- Conventional radiography often necessitates the need for using various projections to obtain a comprehensive image of specific areas of the horse’s head. This implies that obtaining clear and detailed pictures of different areas of the horse’s head could be time-consuming and still may not provide the required diagnostic conclusion.
- The comparison between the left and right sides of the horse’s head proves to be a crucial aspect in diagnosing certain conditions that affect the symmetry of the structure.
Role of Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Amid these challenges, the research brings into perspective the increasing significance of sophisticated diagnostic imaging techniques, namely computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for the diagnostic imaging of the horse’s head.
- These advanced imaging techniques have emerged as reliable tools that provide detailed and effective images, overcoming the pitfalls posed by traditional radiography, leading to more accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans.
Cite This Article
APA
Tucker RL, Farrell E.
(2001).
Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the equine head.
Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 17(1), 131-vii.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30079-2 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Head / anatomy & histology
- Head / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horses
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 15 times.- Górski K, Borowska M, Turek B, Pawlikowski M, Jankowski K, Bereznowski A, Polkowska I, Domino M. An application of the density standard and scaled-pixel-counting protocol to assess the radiodensity of equine incisor teeth affected by resorption and hypercementosis: preliminary advancement in dental radiography. BMC Vet Res 2023 Aug 9;19(1):116.
- Kozłowska N, Wierzbicka M, Jasiński T, Domino M. Advances in the Diagnosis of Equine Respiratory Diseases: A Review of Novel Imaging and Functional Techniques. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 4;12(3).
- Hartl B, Egerbacher M, Kneissl SM. Correlated Imaging of the Equine Hyoid Apparatus Using CT, Micro-CT, and Histology. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:652563.
- Ben Khalifa A, Ben Braiek A, Belhaj Hmida L, Chandoul W, Mattoussi A. Macroscopic anatomy, radiography and computed tomography of normal paranasal sinuses of the adult one-humped dromedary (Camelus dromedarius). Vet Med Sci 2021 Sep;7(5):1460-1468.
- Emam H, Aref M, Abdelbaset-Ismail A, Abdelaal A, Gouda S, Gomaa M. Description of normal head structures of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) by magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and cross-sectional anatomy. Vet World 2020 Aug;13(8):1581-1587.
- Schmidt MJ, Knemeyer C, Heinsen H. Neuroanatomy of the equine brain as revealed by high-field (3Tesla) magnetic-resonance-imaging. PLoS One 2019;14(4):e0213814.
- Lacombe VA. Seizures in horses: diagnosis and classification. Vet Med (Auckl) 2015;6:301-308.
- Crijns CP, Baeumlin Y, De Rycke L, Broeckx BJ, Vlaminck L, Bergman EH, van Bree H, Gielen I. Intra-arterial versus intra venous contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the equine head. BMC Vet Res 2016 Jan 7;12:6.
- Perrier M, Schwarz T, Gonzalez O, Brounts S. Squamous cell carcinoma invading the right temporomandibular joint in a Belgian mare. Can Vet J 2010 Aug;51(8):885-7.
- De Zani D, Borgonovo S, Biggi M, Vignati S, Scandella M, Lazzaretti S, Modina S, Zani D. Topographic comparative study of paranasal sinuses in adult horses by computed tomography, sinuscopy, and sectional anatomy. Vet Res Commun 2010 Jun;34 Suppl 1:S13-6.
- Ostendarp C, Barton AK. Intraocular Tumors in Horses: Diagnosis, Tumor Classification, Oncologic Assessment and Therapy. Vet Sci 2025 Oct 17;12(10).
- Hartl B, Strohmayer C, Vali Y, Lyrakis M, Kneissl SM. Computed tomographic signs of hyoid apparatus disease in 165 horses. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1631185.
- Nourinezhad J, Abdi A, Moarabi A, Hanafi MG, Fatahian Dehkordi RA, Tomańska A. Major Salivary Gland Examinations of the Donkey (Equus asinus) Using Sectional Anatomy, Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Vet Med Sci 2025 May;11(3):e70298.
- 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.
- Holz N, Suárez J, Hetzel U, Rampazzo A, Stoppini R. Mycotic Sphenopalatine Sinusitis With Concurrent Compression of the Optic Nerves and Chiasm and Severe Visual Impairment in A Horse. Vet Ophthalmol 2026 Jan;29(1):e70003.
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