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CT more accurately detects foreign bodies within the equine foot than MRI or digital radiography.

Abstract: Identification and characterization of foreign bodies in the distal limb of horses poses a diagnostic challenge. The aims of this prospective experimental cadaver study were to describe the appearance of five foreign body materials within the equine hoof using CT, MRI, and digital radiography (DR) and to compare interrater agreement among three reviewers. Fifty foreign bodies consisting of five materials were implanted at a solar location or a coronary location in 25 equine cadaver feet. The images were reviewed by three equine veterinarians experienced in advanced imaging interpretation, who were blinded to the material of the foreign body. Foreign bodies were graded on visibility and appearance. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for accurate identification of the different materials. Interrater agreement was assessed using Fleiss' kappa. Computed tomography had higher visibility score, sensitivity/specificity, and interrater agreement for detection of all materials; particularly slate, glass, and dry wood, compared to the other imaging modalities. Soaked wood and plastic had lower sensitivity (31-33%) on CT with a similar attenuation of the two materials. Foreign bodies were often visible on MRI, although with similar appearance and unclear details. On DR, only slate and glass were visible. The interrater agreement for identifying the correct material was almost perfect for slate, glass, and dry wood (κ = 0.92-1.00) and poor for plastic and soaked wood (κ < 0.20) on CT. Interrater agreement was poor for all materials on MRI and DR (κ < 0.20), with the except for fair (κ = 0.28) for slate on DR and moderate (κ = 0.28) for soaked wood on MRI.
Publication Date: 2020-12-16 PubMed ID: 33325609DOI: 10.1111/vru.12944Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research article investigates how CT scans are more precise in detecting foreign objects within a horse’s foot compared to MRI or digital radiography.

Objective

The study aims to identify the efficiency of different imaging methods – CT, MRI, and digital radiography (DR) – in detecting foreign bodies embedded within the distal limb of horses.

Methodology

  • Fifty foreign bodies of five different materials were embedded in 25 horse cadaver feet.
  • Images of these bodies were taken using CT, MRI, and DR.
  • Three equine veterinarians, blinded to the materials of the foreign body, reviewed the images and graded the visibility and appearance of the foreign bodies.
  • The researchers then calculated the sensitivity (how well the test identifies true positives) and specificity (how well the test identifies true negatives) for each imaging method.

Results

  • CT scans had a higher visibility score, sensitivity, and specificity. They were especially efficient in detecting slate, glass, and dry wood.
  • Soaked wood and plastic proved difficult to detect using CT scans, with a sensitivity rating of 31-33% due to these materials having similar attenuation.
  • Foreign bodies were often visible on MRIs, although the details were unclear.
  • On digital radiography, only slate and glass were visible.
  • The interrater agreement (the consistency among the veterinarians’ assessments) was nearly perfect for detection of slate, glass, and dry wood on CT scans. The agreement was poor for plastic and soaked wood.
  • For MRI and DR testing, interrater agreement was poor for all materials, with the exception of slight agreements with detecting slate on DR and detecting soaked wood on MRI.

Conclusion

The study concludes that CT scans provide a better diagnostic tool when attempting to detect foreign bodies in horses’ feet. CT scans not only more accurately identify foreign bodies but also offer a higher interrater agreement rate amongst veterinarians. However, detecting some materials like soaked wood and plastic remains a challenge to this method.

Cite This Article

APA
Ogden NKE, Milner PI, Stack JD, Talbot AM. (2020). CT more accurately detects foreign bodies within the equine foot than MRI or digital radiography. Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 62(2), 225-235. https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.12944

Publication

ISSN: 1740-8261
NlmUniqueID: 9209635
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 62
Issue: 2
Pages: 225-235

Researcher Affiliations

Ogden, Nadine K E
  • Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
Milner, Peter I
  • Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
Stack, John D
  • Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
Talbot, Alison M
  • Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cadaver
  • Foot / diagnostic imaging
  • Foot / pathology
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnostic imaging
  • Foreign Bodies / veterinary
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
  • Prospective Studies
  • Radiographic Image Enhancement / methods
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Inoue K, Yabe S, Kashiwabara S, Itaya Y, Era S, Kikuchi A, Takai Y. A pregnant woman with long-standing, retained intraabdominal glass shards who gave birth to a live infant with no complications: a case report. J Med Case Rep 2024 Feb 25;18(1):74.
    doi: 10.1186/s13256-024-04392-8pubmed: 38402220google scholar: lookup