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BMC veterinary research2019; 15(1); 289; doi: 10.1186/s12917-019-2045-z

Cone-beam computed tomography of the head in standing equids.

Abstract: Computed tomography in standing horses has revolutionized diagnostic imaging. The O-arm®, a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanner with a gantry opening of 96.5 cm is routinely used for image-guided spine and neurosurgery in humans. The aim of this study is to describe the set-up and first experiences using the O-arm® to achieve CBCT imaging of the head in standing horses. CT imaging of the predefined region of interest (ROI) was tested on 2 cadaveric heads, concentrating on centering issues within the gantry, as well as determining the number of scans needed per ROI. All horses presented with head-related diseases and subjected to a CBCT examination between February 2015 and November 2016 for CBCT were included. Per scan, a limited field of view, i.e. a cylindrical volume of 21 cm in diameter and 16 cm in height was acquired within 13 s. Depending on the dimensions of the ROI, the minimum number of scans could range from one to six, if the entire equine head is to be examined in an adult horse. Results: Sixty-eight horses were included, five of which had a follow-up CBCT exam, and two of which were presented twice for two different indications (75 clinical cases). A total number of 449 acquired three-dimensional (3D) scans were recorded for these 75 cases. Two-hundred and forty-two 3D scans (54%) were considered as diagnostic quality. The imaging procedure was generally well tolerated by the sedated, standing equid, and diagnostic studies were performed in 73 out of 75 cases (97.3%). Motion artefacts and inadequate centering of the ROI were the most common reasons for non-diagnostic quality images and repeat scans of the same ROI. Conclusions: CBCT is a valuable imaging modality for the equine head. Advantages of the O-arm® compared to a conventional multi-slice helical CT for imaging of the head in standing equids include the rapid image acquisition, the gantry's mobility in all dimensions, and the free movability of the entire imaging unit. Disadvantages include the considerable sensitivity to motion artefact, increased scatter, low soft tissue contrast and the limited dimensions of the field of view.
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Publication Date: 2019-08-13 PubMed ID: 31409395PubMed Central: PMC6693248DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2045-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The study focuses on the utilization of the O-arm® cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanner to achieve CBCT imaging of a horse’s head while the animal is standing. The technology has been adapted from its routine usage in human spine and neurosurgery for diagnosis and imaging of equine head diseases.

O-arm® CBCT Scanner

  • The O-arm® is a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanner originally used for image-guided surgeries in humans, specifically those involving the spine and the nervous system.
  • It has a large gantry opening of 96.5 cm.
  • This study demonstrates its adaptability for use in veterinary medicine for imaging the heads of standing horses.

CBCT Imaging of Horse Heads

  • The imaging procedure was tested on two cadaveric horse heads before implementation on living animals.
  • The study underlined the importance of centering the region of interest (ROI) within the scanner’s gantry, and figuring out the number of scans needed for each ROI.
  • The O-arm®’s scanner acquired a limited field of view, creating a cylindrical volume for each scan with 21 cm in diameter and 16 cm in height within 13 seconds.
  • Depending on the ROI dimensions, the amount of scans required to examine the entire head of an adult horse ranged from one to six.

Patient Statistics and Findings

  • The study included 68 horses, some of which underwent follow-up CBCT examinations or were presented twice for different indications, resulting in a total of 75 clinical cases.
  • A total of 449 three-dimensional (3D) scans were acquired for the cases, 54% of which were considered diagnostic quality.
  • Most horses, under sedation and standing, tolerated the procedure well, and in 73 out of 75 cases, diagnostic studies were successfully performed.
  • Any motion artifacts or inadequate centering of the ROI in the gantry were identified as the most common reasons for low-quality images, necessitating repeat scans.

Conclusion

  • CBCT was found to be a valuable imaging modality for examining the heads of standing horses.
  • Among the advantages of the O-arm® CBCT technology over conventional CT imaging include shorter acquisition time, the mobility of the gantry in all dimensions, and the overall ease of movement of the imaging unit.
  • Disadvantages include sensitivity to motion artifacts, increased scatter, and low soft tissue contrast, along with the limited field of view.

Cite This Article

APA
Bregger MDK, Koch C, Zimmermann R, Sangiorgio D, Schweizer-Gorgas D. (2019). Cone-beam computed tomography of the head in standing equids. BMC Vet Res, 15(1), 289. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-019-2045-z

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Pages: 289
PII: 289

Researcher Affiliations

Bregger, M D Klopfenstein
  • Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse-Faculty University of Bern, and Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland. micael.klopfenstein@vetsuisse.unibe.ch.
Koch, C
  • Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse-Faculty University of Bern, and Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland.
Zimmermann, R
  • Division of Clinical Radiology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Sangiorgio, D
  • Division of Clinical Radiology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Schweizer-Gorgas, D
  • Division of Clinical Radiology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / methods
  • Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / veterinary
  • Female
  • Head / diagnostic imaging
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horses
  • Male

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Kau S, Failing K, Staszyk C. Computed Tomography (CT)-Assisted 3D Cephalometry in Horses: Interincisal Angulation of Clinical Crowns. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:434.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00434pubmed: 32851019google scholar: lookup
  2. Turgut N. Cross-Sectional Radiological and Reconstructive Anatomy of the Paranasal Sinuses in Normal Mesaticephalic Dogs. Vet Med Sci 2025 Nov;11(6):e70663.
    doi: 10.1002/vms3.70663pubmed: 41091547google scholar: lookup
  3. Bierau J, Cruz AM, Koch C, Manso-Diaz G, Büttner K, Staszyk C, Röcken M. Visualization of anatomical structures in the fetlock region of the horse using cone beam computed tomography in comparison with conventional multidetector computed tomography. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1278148.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1278148pubmed: 38260210google scholar: lookup
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