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Home / Equine Research Bank / Open Vet J / Contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the foot in ...
Open veterinary journal2018; 8(4); 471-478; doi: 10.4314/ovj.v8i4.19

Contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the foot in horses using intravenous versus regional intraarterial injection of gadolinium.

Abstract: The use of contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of orthopedic pathologies in equine patients is poorly described. In few studies, enhanced MRI allowed to differentiate active lesions from chronic ones and to classify ambiguous lesions. The aim of this clinical prospective pilot study is to describe and compare the MRI lesions observed in horses with lameness localized to the foot using a single intravenous bolus dose of gadolinium contrast versus regional intraarterial bolus of contrast agent. Ten horses that underwent contrast enhanced MRI were included in the study. Gadolinium was injected intravenously in 3 patients and in 7 horses contrast agent was administered by intraarterial regional delivery. Regions of interest (ROI) were collected from both pre- and post-contrast images and ratios between pre- and post-contrast ROIs were calculated. No adverse reactions were noted after contrast agent injection. Injured structures that revealed greater increase in signal in post-contrast images were the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), the navicular spongiosa and the peritendinous tissues. Regional intraarterial administration of gadolinium provided higher ratio of contrast enhancement. Enhanced MRI using both intravenous or intraarterial injection of gadolinium, increased the diagnostic capability of MRI in horses with foot lesions. Nevertheless, regional intraarterial administration of gadolinium was considered the best choice due to the higher signal and lower volumes of contrast agent required.
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Publication Date: 2018-12-15 PubMed ID: 30775287PubMed Central: PMC6356101DOI: 10.4314/ovj.v8i4.19Google 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 study is exploring the effectiveness of two different methods of administering contrast during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of horses’ feet, aiming to enhance the detection of orthopedic issues.

Research Context and Purpose

  • The research focuses on the use of contrast-enhanced MRI for identifying orthopedic pathologies—diseases of the musculoskeletal system—in horses, specifically looking at lameness localized in the foot.
  • The researchers aim to compare the efficiency and effectiveness of two methods of introducing the contrast agent gadolinium: intravenous injection and regional intraarterial administration (directly in the artery of the region of interest).
  • So far, the literature on this subject is limited, with few studies addressing it comprehensively. Thus, this study contributes to a relatively undeveloped field of research within veterinary medicine.

Methodology

  • For the study, the researchers selected ten horses who underwent contrast-enhanced MRIs due to observed lameness in their feet.
  • Three horses received gadolinium intravenously, while the remaining seven received the contrast agent directly in the arteries of the foot region.
  • The team collected data from regions of interest from both pre- and post-contrast images. The results were analyzed by calculating ratios between these pre- and post-contrast data.

Findings and Interpretations

  • No adverse reactions were noted after the administration of the contrast agent.
  • The data showed that some injured structures—the deep digital flexor tendon, the navicular spongiosa, and the peritendinous tissues—exhibited a greater increase in signal in the post-contrast images.
  • The regional intraarterial injection resulted in a higher contrast enhancement ratio compared to the intravenous method.
  • This study’s findings underscore the increased diagnostic capability of MRI in such cases where gadolinium is administered either intravenously or intraarterially.
  • However, the authors recommend the regional intraarterial administration due to its higher signal strength and lower required volumes of the contrast agent.

Significance of the Research

  • This research expands our understanding of contrast-enhanced MRI usage in veterinary medicine, specifically in diagnosing orthopedic issues in horses.
  • By demonstrating the effectiveness of intraarterial administration of gadolinium, this research opens the door to more efficient diagnostic practices when dealing with lameness localized in horses’ feet.
  • Overall, these findings can be crucial for enhancing veterinary diagnostic processes, providing the basis for early intervention, and improving the quality of equine healthcare.

Cite This Article

APA
Zani D, Rabbogliatti V, Ravasio G, Pettinato C, Giancamillo MD, Zani DD. (2018). Contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the foot in horses using intravenous versus regional intraarterial injection of gadolinium. Open Vet J, 8(4), 471-478. https://doi.org/10.4314/ovj.v8i4.19

Publication

Open veterinary journal
ISSN: 2226-4485
NlmUniqueID: 101653182
Country: Libya
Language: English
Volume: 8
Issue: 4
Pages: 471-478

Researcher Affiliations

Zani, Donatella De
  • Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Centro Clinico Veterinario e Zootecnico Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
Rabbogliatti, Vanessa
  • Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Centro Clinico Veterinario e Zootecnico Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
Ravasio, Giuliano
  • Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Centro Clinico Veterinario e Zootecnico Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
Pettinato, Cinzia
  • Department of Medical Physics, Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy.
Giancamillo, Mauro Di
  • Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Centro Clinico Veterinario e Zootecnico Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
Zani, Davide Danilo
  • Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Centro Clinico Veterinario e Zootecnico Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Underberg BA, Kaessmeyer S, Schweizer D, Drews B, Van der Vekens E. Non-contrast enhanced visualization of the equine foot vasculature in a cadaver model using time-of-flight sequence. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1585940.
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  2. Aßmann A, Ohlerth S, Hartmann S, Torgerson P, Bischofberger A. Does Direct MRI Tenography Improve the Diagnostic Performance of Low-Field MRI to Identify Artificially Created Soft-Tissue Lesions within the Equine Cadaveric Digital Flexor Tendon Sheath?. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 7;13(24).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13243772pubmed: 38136809google scholar: lookup
  3. Blaettler C, Kaessmeyer S, Grabherr S, Koch C, Schweizer D, Van der Vekens E. Post-mortem Computed Tomographic Angiography in Equine Distal Forelimbs: A Feasibility Study. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:868390.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.868390pubmed: 35647108google scholar: lookup
  4. 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).
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  5. Evrard L, Joostens Z, Vandersmissen M, Audigié F, Busoni V. Comparison Between Ultrasonographic and Standing Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in the Podotrochlear Apparatus of Horses With Foot Pain. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:675180.
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