First-pass radionuclide angiography in the diagnosis of aortoiliac thromboembolism in a horse.

The research explores the use of first-pass radionuclide angiography as a method to diagnose aortoiliac thromboembolism, a blood clot blocking the blood flow, in horses, using both healthy horses and a patient as subjects.

Research Methodology

• The study employed first-pass radionuclide angiography, a technique that employs radioactive substances and imaging to view the flow of blood in the aorta of three healthy horses and a 6-year-old Standardbred male with aortoiliac thromboembolism.
• This condition was suspected due to chronic lameness in both hind legs of the horse, with the right hind limb appearing more severely affected. This issue was further confirmed through a rectal examination and transrectal ultrasonography.

Research Findings

• The study utilized 99mTc-HDP, a radioactive substance, for its radionuclide angiography. In the affected horse, follow-up scintigraphy of the hind limb and pelvis bone indicated a significant reduction in blood flow through both external iliac arteries and a total absence of blood flow in the internal iliac arteries.
• Quantitative analysis demonstrated a reduced activity in the right iliac vessels of the affected horse. This was indicative of reduced blood flow when compared to the control horses.

Conclusion

• The study concludes that first-pass radionuclide angiography provided clear diagnostic images of the terminal aorta and its branches, successfully enabling the diagnosis of aortoiliac thromboembolism in the affected horse.
• This potentially presents a new and effective methodology for diagnosing this particular condition in horses.