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Veterinary sciences2025; 12(7); 614; doi: 10.3390/vetsci12070614

Dual-Energy Computed Tomography for the Detection of Bone Edema-Like Lesions in the Equine Foot: Standing Horses and Cadaveric Specimens.

Abstract: Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is a promising advancement for detecting bone edema-like lesions (BME). However, its application in horses remains limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate DECT virtual-non-calcium (VNCa) imaging in the equine foot and establish which confounding factors could influence its applicability in clinical practice. The DECT VNCa map of 14 standing and 5 cadaveric (recumbent) cases with foot-related lameness was scored in consensus by two readers in comparison to MRI. Overall, 17/19 cases demonstrated BME on MRI, whereas 2 did not. Agreement between DECT VNCa and MRI was found in 15/19 feet (78.9%). Disagreement in 4/19 cases with BME was due to sclerosis (1/19), mild BME extent on MRI (2/19), or scan artifacts (1/19). The extent of BME was significantly underestimated using DECT VNCa compared to MRI ( = 0.016). No significant correlation was found between sclerosis score and the BME extent underestimation on DECT ( = 0.056). Between standing and post-mortem cases, there was no significant difference in the agreement between DECT and MRI ( = 0.53) or DECT VNCa image quality ( = 0.22). In conclusion, DECT VNCa effectively identified moderate and severe BME, and its use was feasible in standing positioning. In case of sclerosis, a case-by-case assessment is recommended.
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Publication Date: 2025-06-24 PubMed ID: 40711274PubMed Central: PMC12298723DOI: 10.3390/vetsci12070614Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research presents the use of Dual-energy Computed Tomography (DECT) in detecting bone edema-like lesions in horses’ feet and explores various factors that could affect its application in clinical practice. While in most cases, DECT is similar to MRI, some discrepancies were noted owing to factors like sclerosis, mild bone edema extent on MRI, and scan artifacts.

Research Objective and Methodology

  • The major objective of this study was to evaluate if Dual-energy Computed Tomography (DECT) can accurately identify Bone Marrow Edema (BME) like lesions in the foot of horses. Essentially, the focus was on DECT virtual-non-calcium (VNCa) imaging in the equine foot and determining any factors that could affect its clinical implementation.
  • A group of 14 standing and five cadaveric (lying down, after death) horses exhibiting foot-related lameness were studied. The DECT VNCa maps of these horses were scored by two readers and compared to MRI results.

Findings

  • The research reveals that 17 out of 19 horse cases demonstrated BME when evaluated using MRI, and 2 cases did not.
  • An agreement in the findings using DECT VNCa and MRI was observed in 15 out of the 19 cases, which constitutes approximately 78.9% of the cases.
  • Discrepancies in the remaining 4 cases stemmed from sclerosis (hardening; in 1 case), a minor extent of BME on the MRI (in 2 cases), and scanning artifacts (in 1 case).
  • A noteworthy observation made was that the extent of BME was considerably underestimated using DECT VNCa when compared to MRI. However, there was no significant correlation found between the sclerosis score and the underestimation of BME extent on DECT.
  • Additionally, there was no significant difference in DECT and MRI agreement or DECT VNCa image quality between standing and post-mortem horses.

Conclusions

  • Based on the study, DECT VNCa is useful for identifying moderate and severe BME and can be effectively utilized in a horse’s standing positioning.
  • In cases involving sclerosis, a case-by-case evaluation is advised, as it might impact the effectiveness in diagnosing using DECT.

Cite This Article

APA
Germonpré J, Lorenz I, Vandekerckhove LMJ, Duchateau L, Diekhoff T, Vanderperren K. (2025). Dual-Energy Computed Tomography for the Detection of Bone Edema-Like Lesions in the Equine Foot: Standing Horses and Cadaveric Specimens. Vet Sci, 12(7), 614. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12070614

Publication

Veterinary sciences
ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 7
PII: 614

Researcher Affiliations

Germonpré, Jolien
  • Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation, and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Lorenz, Ina
  • Pferdeklinik Bargteheide, 22941 Bargteheide, Germany.
Vandekerckhove, Louis M J
  • Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation, and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Duchateau, Luc
  • Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation, and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Diekhoff, Torsten
  • Department of Radiology, Brandenburg Medical School, 15562 Rüdersdorf, Germany.
  • Department of Radiology, Immanuel Klinik Rüdersdorf, Seebad 82/83, 15562 Rüdersdorf, Germany.
Vanderperren, Katrien
  • Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation, and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.

Grant Funding

  • BOF21/DOC/202 / doctoral scholarship from the Special Research Fund (BOF) of Ghent University

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funder had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

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