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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Computed tomography of the equine caudal spine and pelvis: T...
Equine veterinary journal2024; 57(5); 1265-1278; doi: 10.1111/evj.14422

Computed tomography of the equine caudal spine and pelvis: Technique, image quality and anatomical variation in 56 clinical cases (2018-2023).

Abstract: Cross-sectional imaging improves the diagnostic accuracy of complex anatomical regions. Computed tomography (CT) of the pelvis and caudal spine in a large group of live horses and ponies has not been previously reported. Objective: To describe the procedure for acquiring CT images of horses' caudal spine/pelvis under general anaesthesia (GA) and to detail the image quality, artefacts and anatomical variations in this region. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Horses with CT of the caudal spine/pelvis were included. Horses under 6 months and CT examination performed post-mortem were excluded. Protocols, image quality, region of interest, anatomical features and morbidities were analysed. Results: Fifty-six horses (8 months to 20 years, 85-680 kg) met the inclusion criteria. GA ranged from 10 to 60 min (mean: 30, median: 32). There were no adverse events recorded in any of the horses associated with the procedure. Images of all horses were considered of diagnostic quality. Anatomical variations were common and included the location of diverging (widest) interspinous space, the presence of spina bifida in the lumbar and sacral spine, the shape of the last lumbar vertebra and the location of intertransverse joints in terms of where they were present and the degree of fusion/modelling. Conclusions: Not all horses underwent CT examination of the same regions, the upper size limit of horses is unknown and will vary depending on bore size and table infrastructure. Image noise, particularly in large horses and beam hardening artefacts from hardware and pelvis degraded image quality. Images were of insufficient quality in large horses for soft tissue interpretation. Conclusions: CT of the caudal spine and pelvis in live horses with wide-bore CT machines and modified patient infrastructure was safe and produced diagnostic images. Unassigned: Die Querschnittsbildgebung verbessert die diagnostische Genauigkeit von komplexen anatomischen Regionen. Die Computertomographie (CT) des Beckens und der kaudalen Wirbelsäule bei einer groβen Gruppe lebender Pferde und Ponys wurde bisher noch nicht berichtet. Unassigned: Beschreibung des Verfahrens zur Aufnahme von CT‐Bildern der kaudalen Wirbelsäule/des Beckens von Pferden unter Vollnarkose und detaillierte Beschreibung der Bildqualität, Artefakte und anatomischen Variationen in diesen Regionen. Methods: Retrospektive Fallserie. Methods: Pferde mit CT der kaudalen Wirbelsäule/des Beckens wurden in die Studie aufgenommen. Pferde, die jünger als 6 Monate waren und bei denen die CT‐Untersuchung postmortal durchgeführt wurde, wurden ausgeschlossen. Analysiert wurden Protokolle, Bildqualität, Interessengebiet, anatomische Merkmale und Morbiditäten. Unassigned: Sechsundfünfzig Pferde (8 Monate bis 20 Jahre, 85–680 kg) erfüllten die Einschlusskriterien. Die Dauer der Vollnarkose (GA) lag zwischen 10 und 60 Minuten (Mittelwert 30, Median 32). Bei keinem der Pferde wurden unerwünschte Ereignisse im Zusammenhang mit dem Verfahren festgestellt. Die Bilder aller Pferde waren von diagnostischer Qualität. Anatomische Abweichungen waren häufig und betrafen u.a.: die Lage des divergierenden (breitesten) Zwischenwirbelraums, das Vorhandensein einer Spina bifida in der Lenden‐ und Sakralwirbelsäule, die Form des letzten Lendenwirbels und die Lage der Intertransversalgelenke in Bezug auf deren Vorhandensein und den Grad der Fusion/Modellierung. HAUPTEINSCHRÄNKUNGEN: Nicht bei allen Pferden wurden die gleichen Regionen im CT untersucht, die Obergrenze für die Gröβe der Pferde ist unbekannt und hängt von dem Gantrydurchmessers und der Tischkonstruktion ab. Bildrauschen, insbesondere bei groβen Pferden, und Strahlenhärtungsartefakte von Hardware und Becken beeinträchtigten die Bildqualität für die Interpretation von Weichteilen. Unassigned: Die Computertomographie der kaudalen Wirbelsäule und des Beckens bei lebenden Pferden mit Wide‐Bore‐CT‐Geräten und modifizierter Patienteninfrastuktur war sicher und lieferte diagnostische Bilder.
© 2024 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2024-10-10 PubMed ID: 39390752PubMed Central: PMC12326906DOI: 10.1111/evj.14422Google 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 article investigates the use of computed tomography (CT) for studying the caudal spine and pelvis of horses. The study records the procedure for acquiring CT images under general anesthesia and provides detailed analysis on image quality, artifacts, and anatomical variations.

Research Objective and Methods

  • The researchers aimed to evaluate the use of computed tomography for diagnosing conditions in the horses’ caudal spine and pelvis region. Prior to this study, CT scans of the pelvis and caudal spine had not been reported in live horses and ponies.
  • The research involved collecting retrospective case series, where horses that had undergone CT of the caudal spine or pelvis were included. Young horses (under 6 months) and cases where CT examination was done post-mortem were excluded.
  • In addition to acquiring CT images, they also studied the protocols followed, quality of the acquired images, region of interest, anatomical features, and diseases present.

Key Findings and Results

  • The study analysed data from fifty-six horses and found no adverse events that were associated with the procedure
  • All images were considered of a diagnostic quality, confirming the usefulness of CT scans in diagnostic processes in horses
  • Common anatomical variations were observed, such as the location of the widest interspinous space, cases of spina bifida in the lumbar and sacral spine, the shape of the last lumbar vertebra, and the location of intertransverse joints

Limitations

  • Not all horses underwent CT examination of the same regions, so comparisons across all cases could not be made
  • The upper size limit for horses that can undergo CT scanning is unknown and likely varies depending on the technology used
  • The image quality for larger horses was often degraded, affecting the interpretation of soft tissues

Conclusions

  • The study confirms that CT examination of the caudal spine and pelvis in live horses using wide-bored CT machines is safe and produced diagnostic images

Cite This Article

APA
Ogden NKE, Winderickx K, Bennell A, Stack JD. (2024). Computed tomography of the equine caudal spine and pelvis: Technique, image quality and anatomical variation in 56 clinical cases (2018-2023). Equine Vet J, 57(5), 1265-1278. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14422

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 57
Issue: 5
Pages: 1265-1278

Researcher Affiliations

Ogden, Nadine Kristina Elise
  • B&W Equine Hospital, Berkeley, UK.
Winderickx, Katja
  • Lingehoeve Diergeneeskunde, Lienden, Netherlands.
Bennell, Alison
  • Leahurst Equine Hospital, University of Liverpool, Wirral, UK.
Stack, John David
  • Leahurst Equine Hospital, University of Liverpool, Wirral, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Pelvis / diagnostic imaging
  • Pelvis / anatomy & histology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Female
  • Spine / diagnostic imaging
  • Spine / anatomy & histology
  • Male

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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