Feasibility and Safety of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Distal Limb of Six Horses.
Abstract: Vascular alterations play important roles in many orthopedic diseases such as osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and synovitis in both human and equine athletes. Understanding these alterations could enhance diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) could be a valuable method for evaluation of blood flow and perfusion of these processes in the equine distal limb, however no reports were found describing feasibility or safety of the technique. The goal of this prospective, experimental study was to describe the feasibility and safety of distal limb CEUS in a sample of six horses. For each horse, CEUS of the distal limb was performed after intravenous injections of 5 and 10 ml, as well as intra-arterial injections of 0.5 and 1 ml contrast medium. Vital parameters were monitored and CEUS images were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively for degree of contrast enhancement. None of the horses had clinically significant changes in their vital parameters after contrast medium injection. One horse had a transient increase in respiratory rate, and several horses had mild increases of systolic blood pressure of short duration after intravenous, but not after intra-arterial injections. Intra-arterial injection was possible in all horses and resulted in significantly improved contrast enhancement both quantitatively (P = 0.027) and qualitatively (P = 0.019). Findings from this study indicated that CEUS is a feasible and safe diagnostic test for evaluation of the equine distal limb. Future studies are needed to assess the clinical utility of this test for horses with musculoskeletal diseases.
© 2016 American College of Veterinary Radiology.
Publication Date: 2016-01-14 PubMed ID: 26765518DOI: 10.1111/vru.12333Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article discusses an experimental study that evaluates the application and safety of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) for diagnosing orthopedic diseases in horses. The results show that CEUS is a viable and safe method to study blood flow and perfusion in the distal limb of horses, with potential for improving diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases.
Objective of the Study
The goal of this research paper was to:
- Determine the feasibility and safety of using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in the distal limb of horses,
- Evaluate potential changes in vital parameters of horses after the administration of contrast medium, and
- Assess the degree of contrast enhancement through both qualitative and quantitative assessment.
Methodology
A sample of six horses was used in this experimental study:
- Each horse underwent CEUS on their distal limb,
- The process involved intravenous injections of 5 and 10 ml, as well as intra-arterial injections of 0.5 and 1 ml of contrast medium,
- Following each injection, the horse’s vital parameters were monitored and the CEUS images were evaluated for the degree of contrast enhancement.
Findings
Based on the study, the researchers identified that:
- None of the horses experienced clinically significant changes in their vital parameters subsequent to the contrast medium injection,
- One horse showed a temporary increase in respiratory rate, and a few others exhibited mild, temporary increases in systolic blood pressure after the intravenous injection. These changes were not observed after the intra-arterial injections,
- Intra-arterial injection was achievable in all horses and resulted in significantly improved contrast enhancement, as per both quantitative (P = 0.027) and qualitative (P = 0.019) analysis.
Conclusion and Future Scope
Taken together, the findings showed that CEUS is a safe and feasible diagnostic test for evaluating the distal limb in horses. Further studies are required to understand the clinical utility of this test, especially for horses suffering from musculoskeletal diseases.
Cite This Article
APA
Seiler GS, Campbell N, Nixon B, Tsuruta JK, Dayton PA, Jennings S, Redding WR, Lustgarten M.
(2016).
Feasibility and Safety of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Distal Limb of Six Horses.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 57(3), 282-289.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.12333 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27607.
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27607.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27607.
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514.
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514.
- Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, 01536.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27607.
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27607.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Contrast Media / administration & dosage
- Contrast Media / adverse effects
- Female
- Hindlimb / diagnostic imaging
- Horses
- Injections, Intra-Arterial / veterinary
- Injections, Intravenous / veterinary
- Male
- Muscle, Skeletal / diagnostic imaging
- Pilot Projects
- Prospective Studies
- Ultrasonography / adverse effects
- Ultrasonography / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Canejo-Teixeira R, Lima A, Santana A. Applications of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Splenic Studies of Dogs and Cats. Animals (Basel) 2022 Aug 17;12(16).
- Blohm KO, Tichy A, Nell B. Clinical utility, dose determination, and safety of ocular contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in horses: A pilot study. Vet Ophthalmol 2020 Mar;23(2):331-340.
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