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Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association2025; 66(4); e70049; doi: 10.1111/vru.70049

Equine Standing Multidetector Computed Tomography of the Distal Thoracic Limb and Tarsus Has a Lower Cumulative Radiation Dose than Digital Radiography.

Abstract: Recent technological advancements in CT have improved the ability to scan standing sedated horses. However, the impact of radiation exposure on veterinary staff while scanning the extremities of standing horses using this technique, compared with digital radiography (DR), remains unknown. This study compares the radiation exposure of imaging technicians assisting with multidetector CT (MDCT) and DR of the distal thoracic limb and tarsus in standing horses. Personal dose equivalent was measured on four body locations: thyroid gland, gonads, hand, and feet. Images of the distal thoracic limb (n = 12) and tarsus (n = 12) were obtained from 24 Warmblood horses using DR and MDCT. The DR included four views of the front fetlock (dorsopalmar, lateromedial, dorso45lateral-palmaromedial oblique, and dorso45medial-palmarolateral oblique), three views of the front foot (dorsopalmar, lateromedial and dorso65proximal-palmarodistal oblique) and four views of the tarsus (dorsoplantar, lateromedial, dorso45lateral-plantaromedial oblique and dorso45medial-planterolateral oblique). The MDCT scans included the distal metacarpus to the foot and the tarsus. Noninferiority testing showed lower radiation exposure to the imaging technician during MDCT of the distal thoracic limb and tarsus compared with DR, measured at the thyroid gland, hand, and feet. The radiation exposure to the gonads during MDCT of the thoracic limb was significantly higher than with DR. Nevertheless, the lower cumulative radiation exposure for the assisting imaging technician during MDCT compared with DR suggests that the tested MDCT setup enables advanced imaging of the distal limb in standing sedated horses, offering both reduced radiation exposure and avoiding the patient-related risks of general anesthesia.
© 2025 The Author(s). Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Radiology.
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Publication Date: 2025-05-27 PubMed ID: 40420323PubMed Central: PMC12106850DOI: 10.1111/vru.70049Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Comparative Study

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 reveals that computed tomography (CT) scans used on standing horses for the distal thoracic limb and tarsus resulted in lesser overall radiation exposure for the imaging technicians compared to traditional digital radiography (DR). However, the radiation exposure to technicians’ gonads was higher during the CT scans compared to the DR method.

Study objective and methodology

  • The study aimed to understand the radiation exposure on veterinary staff when carrying out CT scans (using multidetector CT or MDCT) and digital radiography (DR) on a standing horse’s extremities. Researchers measured radiation exposure at four body areas – thyroid gland, gonads, hand, and feet.
  • An experiment was conducted using 24 Warmblood horses, where the distal thoracic limb (n = 12) and tarsus (n = 12) were imaged using DR and MDCT. DR included different views of the front fetlock, front foot, and the tarsus. The MDCT scans covered, the distal metacarpus to the foot, and the tarsus.

Key findings

  • The research demonstrated that when using MDCT for imaging the distal thoracic limb and tarsus of a standing sedated horse, the imaging technician was subjected to lower levels of radiation at the thyroid gland, hand, and feet, compared to DR.
  • However, radiation exposure to the gonads was noted to be higher during MDCT imaging. Still, the overall cumulative radiation exposure for the technician was lower in MDCT than in DR.
  • The lower overall radiation exposure and the capability to carry out the imaging on standing, sedated horses reduces the need for general anesthesia and related patient risks.

Implications

  • The research implies that the chosen MDCT setup allows advanced imaging of the distal limb in standing sedated horses. This setup not only reduces radiation exposure but also nullifies patient-related risks associated with general anesthesia.
  • While the method provides a safer alternative in terms of radiation exposure, further investigations will be required to address the higher radiation exposure at the gonads to ensure complete safety for the technicians.

Cite This Article

APA
Gaida JL, Steinberg T, Stieger-Vanegas SM, Merle R, Lischer CJ. (2025). Equine Standing Multidetector Computed Tomography of the Distal Thoracic Limb and Tarsus Has a Lower Cumulative Radiation Dose than Digital Radiography. Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 66(4), e70049. https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.70049

Publication

Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association
ISSN: 1740-8261
NlmUniqueID: 9209635
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 66
Issue: 4
Pages: e70049

Researcher Affiliations

Gaida, Julia L
  • Tierklinik Luesche GmbH, Bakum, Germany.
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA.
  • Clinic for Horses, General Surgery and Radiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Steinberg, Tim
  • Tierklinik Luesche GmbH, Bakum, Germany.
Stieger-Vanegas, Susanne M
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA.
Merle, Roswitha
  • Clinic for Horses, General Surgery and Radiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Lischer, Christoph J
  • Clinic for Horses, General Surgery and Radiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Multidetector Computed Tomography / veterinary
  • Multidetector Computed Tomography / methods
  • Tarsus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Male
  • Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiographic Image Enhancement / methods

Conflict of Interest Statement

Tierklinik Luesche GmbH, Germany provided the technical equipment and the patients for the study. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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