FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
BMC veterinary research2016; 12; 6; doi: 10.1186/s12917-016-0632-9

Intra-arterial versus intra venous contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the equine head.

Abstract: The anatomical complexity of the horse's head limits the abilities of radiography. Computed tomography (CT) in combination with contrast enhanced CT is used more often for diagnosing various head pathology in horses. The objective of this study was to compare intravenous and intra-arterial contrast-enhancement techniques and describe normal and abnormal contrast enhancement in the horse's head. Results: All 24 horses included in the study recovered without complication from the procedures. Compared to the pre-contrast studies, post-contrast studies showed significant contrast enhancement in the pituitary gland (IA: p < 0.0001; IV: p < 0.0001), IA nose septum (p = 0.002), nose mucosa (IA: p < 0.0001; IV: p = 0.02), parotid salivary gland (IA: p < 0.0001; IV p < 0.0001), cerebrum (IA: p < 0.0001; IV: p < 0.0001), rectus capitis muscle (IA: p < 0.0001; IV p = 0.001), IA temporal muscle (p < 0.0001), IA masseter muscle (p <0.0001) and IV brainstem (p = 0.01). No significant contrast enhancement was seen in the eye (IA: p = 0.23; IV p = 0.33), tongue (IA p = 0.2; IV p = 0.57), IA brainstem (p = 0.88), IV nose septum (p = 0.26), IV temporal muscle (p = 0.09) and IV masseter muscle (p = 0.46). Three different categories of abnormal enhancement were detected: a strong vascularised mass, an enhanced rim surrounding an unenhanced structure and an inflamed anatomical structure with abnormal contrast enhancement. Conclusions: Using the intra-arterial technique, similar contrast enhancement is achieved using less contrast medium compared to the intravenous technique. And a potential major advantage of the IA technique is the ability to evaluate lesions that are characterized by increased blood flow. Using the intravenous technique, a symmetrical and homogenous enhancement is achieved, however timing is more crucial and the contrast dosage is more of influence in the IV protocol. And a potential major advantage of the IV technique is the ability to evaluate lesions that are characterized by increased vascular permeability. Knowing the different normal contrast enhancement patterns will facilitate the recognition of abnormal contrast enhancements.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2016-01-07 PubMed ID: 26739315PubMed Central: PMC4704255DOI: 10.1186/s12917-016-0632-9Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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 study examines and compares the effectiveness of intravenous and intra-arterial contrast-enhancement techniques in performing computed tomography (CT) scans of a horse’s head. The research found that both methods showed a significant increase in contrast within different parts of the horse’s head after the procedure. It also established that the intra-arterial technique required less contrast medium than the intravenous technique, while still delivering similar results.

Study Design and Participants

  • The study involved 24 horses, all of whom recovered well from the procedures conducted.
  • This research aimed to investigate if there were differences between intravenous (IV) and intra-arterial (IA) contrast enhancement techniques in diagnosing various horse head pathologies.
  • The CT images obtained post-contrast application were compared to pre-contrast images to determine the level of enhancement achieved.

Procedure Results

  • Several areas of the horse’s head showed significant contrast enhancement after both IA and IV procedures, such as the pituitary gland, nose mucosa, parotid salivary gland, and cerebrum.
  • Some areas, including the nose septum, rectus capitis muscle, temporal muscle, and masseter muscle, only showed enhancement after the IA procedure. Only the brain stem showed enhancement after the IV procedure.
  • No significant contrast enhancement was observed in the eye, tongue, brainstem, nose septum, temporal muscle, or masseter muscle, after either procedure.

Identifying Abnormal Enhancements

  • Three categories of abnormal enhancements were identified: a highly vascularized mass, an enhanced rim around a non-enhanced structure, and an inflamed anatomical structure showing abnormal contrast enhancement.
  • Identifying these normal contrast enhancement patterns can help recognize abnormalities in enhancement, potentially aiding in diagnosis.

Comparing Intra-arterial and Intravenous Techniques

  • The intra-arterial technique is beneficial as it requires less contrast medium than the intravenous technique for similar contrast enhancement. This method could evaluate lesions characterized by high blood flow better.
  • However, the intravenous technique provides symmetrical and homogeneous enhancement, although timing is crucial, and the contrast dosage impacts the results more significantly. It is potentially more effective at evaluating lesions characterized by increased vascular permeability.

Cite This Article

APA
Crijns CP, Baeumlin Y, De Rycke L, Broeckx BJ, Vlaminck L, Bergman EH, van Bree H, Gielen I. (2016). Intra-arterial versus intra venous contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the equine head. BMC Vet Res, 12, 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-016-0632-9

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 12
Pages: 6
PII: 6

Researcher Affiliations

Crijns, Casper P
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Merelbeke, Belgium. caspercrijns@me.com.
Baeumlin, Yseult
  • Tierärztliches Überweisungszentrum, Tenniken, Switzerland. y.baeumlin@gmail.com.
De Rycke, Lieve
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Merelbeke, Belgium. lieve.derycke@ugent.be.
Broeckx, Bart J G
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. bart.broeckx@ugent.be.
Vlaminck, Lieven
  • Surgery and anaesthesiology of large animals, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium. lieven.vlaminck@ugent.be.
Bergman, Erik H J
  • Lingehoeve Diergeneeskunde, Lienden, Netherlands. hjbergman@me.com.
van Bree, Henri
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Merelbeke, Belgium. henri.vanbree@ugent.be.
Gielen, Ingrid
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Merelbeke, Belgium. ingrid.gielen@ugent.be.

MeSH Terms

  • Administration, Intravenous
  • Animals
  • Contrast Media / administration & dosage
  • Head / anatomy & histology
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Injections, Intra-Arterial
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary

References

This article includes 42 references
  1. Tremaine WH, Dixon PM. A long-term study of 277 cases of equine sinonasal disease. Part 1: details of horses, historical, clinical and ancillary diagnostic findings.. Equine Vet J 2001 May;33(3):274-82.
    doi: 10.2746/042516401776249615pubmed: 11352350google scholar: lookup
  2. Tucker RL, Farrell E. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the equine head.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2001 Apr;17(1):131-44, vii.
    pubmed: 11488040doi: 10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30079-2google scholar: lookup
  3. Smallwood JE, Wood BC, Taylor WE, Tate LP Jr. Anatomic reference for computed tomography of the head of the foal.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2002 Mar-Apr;43(2):99-117.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2002.tb01657.xpubmed: 11954820google scholar: lookup
  4. Morrow KL, Park RD, Spurgeon TL, Stashak TS, Arceneaux B. Computed tomographic imaging of the equine head.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2000 Nov-Dec;41(6):491-7.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2000.tb01876.xpubmed: 11130787google scholar: lookup
  5. Henninger W, Frame EM, Willmann M, Simhofer H, Malleczek D, Kneissl SM, Mayrhofer E. CT features of alveolitis and sinusitis in horses.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2003 May-Jun;44(3):269-76.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2003.tb00454.xpubmed: 12816367google scholar: lookup
  6. Veraa S, Voorhout G, Klein WR. Computed tomography of the upper cheek teeth in horses with infundibular changes and apical infection.. Equine Vet J 2009 Dec;41(9):872-6.
    doi: 10.2746/042516409X452143pubmed: 20383984google scholar: lookup
  7. Cissell DD, Wisner ER, Textor J, Mohr FC, Scrivani PV, Théon AP. Computed tomographic appearance of equine sinonasal neoplasia.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2012 May-Jun;53(3):245-51.
    pubmed: 22211373doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2011.01913.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  8. Veraa S, Dijkman R, Klein W, Van Den Belt A. Computed tomography in the diagnosis of malignant sinonasal tumours in three horses. Equine Vet Educ 2009;21(6):284–8.
    doi: 10.2746/095777309X423031google scholar: lookup
  9. Crijns Cp, Vlaminck L, Verschooten F, Van Bergen T, De Cock He, Huylebroek F. Multiple Mandibular Ossifying Fibroma In A Yearling Belgian Draught Horse Filly. Equine Vet Educ 2015;27(1):11–15.
  10. Tietje S, Becker M, Böckenhoff G. Computed tomographic evaluation of head diseases in the horse: 15 cases.. Equine Vet J 1996 Mar;28(2):98-105.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb01599.xpubmed: 8706655google scholar: lookup
  11. Powell SE. Use of multi-detector computed tomographic angiography in the diagnosis of a parapharyngeal aneurysm in a 6-week-old foal.. Equine Vet J 2010 Apr;42(3):270-3.
    doi: 10.2746/042516409X481132pubmed: 20486985google scholar: lookup
  12. Hilton H, Puchalski SM, Aleman M. The computed tomographic appearance of equine temporohyoid osteoarthropathy.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2009 Mar-Apr;50(2):151-6.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2009.01508.xpubmed: 19400460google scholar: lookup
  13. Lacombe VA, Sogaro-Robinson C, Reed SM. Diagnostic utility of computed tomography imaging in equine intracranial conditions.. Equine Vet J 2010 Jul;42(5):393-9.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00086.xpubmed: 20636774google scholar: lookup
  14. Pownder S, Scrivani PV, Bezuidenhout A, Divers TJ, Ducharme NG. Computed tomography of temporal bone fractures and temporal region anatomy in horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2010 Mar-Apr;24(2):398-406.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2009.0456.xpubmed: 20102494google scholar: lookup
  15. Sogaro-Robinson C, Lacombe VA, Reed SM, Balkrishnan R. Factors predictive of abnormal results for computed tomography of the head in horses affected by neurologic disorders: 57 cases (2001-2007).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2009 Jul 15;235(2):176-83.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.235.2.176pubmed: 19601739google scholar: lookup
  16. Allen JR, Barbee DD, Boulton CR, Major MD, Crisman MV, Murnane RD. Brain abscess in a horse: diagnosis by computed tomography and successful surgical treatment.. Equine Vet J 1987 Nov;19(6):552-5.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1987.tb02672.xpubmed: 3504767google scholar: lookup
  17. Vink-Nooteboom M, Junker K, van den Ingh TS, Dik KJ. Computed tomography of cholesterinic granulomas in the choroid plexus of horses.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 1998 Nov-Dec;39(6):512-6.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.1998.tb01641.xpubmed: 9845187google scholar: lookup
  18. Baum U, Greess H, Lell M, Nömayr A, Lenz M. Imaging of head and neck tumors--methods: CT, spiral-CT, multislice-spiral-CT.. Eur J Radiol 2000 Mar;33(3):153-60.
    doi: 10.1016/S0720-048X(99)00139-4pubmed: 10699732google scholar: lookup
  19. Vanschandevijl K, Gielen I, Nollet H, Vlaminck L, Deprez P, van Bree H. Computed tomography-guided brain biopsy for in vivo diagnosis of a cholesterinic granuloma in a horse.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2008 Sep 15;233(6):950-4.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.233.6.950pubmed: 18795858google scholar: lookup
  20. Puchalski SM, Galuppo LD, Hornof WJ, Wisner ER. Intraarterial contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the equine distal extremity.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2007 Jan-Feb;48(1):21-9.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2007.00198.xpubmed: 17236355google scholar: lookup
  21. Puchalski SM, Galuppo LD, Drew CP, Wisner ER. Use of contrast-enhanced computed tomography to assess angiogenesis in deep digital flexor tendonopathy in a horse.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2009 May-Jun;50(3):292-7.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2009.01536.xpubmed: 19507393google scholar: lookup
  22. Collins SP, Matheson JS, Hamor RE, Mitchell MA, Labelle AL, O'Brien RT. Comparison of the diagnostic quality of computed tomography images of normal ocular and orbital structures acquired with and without the use of general anesthesia in the cat.. Vet Ophthalmol 2013 Sep;16(5):352-8.
    doi: 10.1111/vop.12005pubmed: 23998509google scholar: lookup
  23. Kishimoto M, Yamada K, Seok JS, Shimizu J, Kobayashi Y, Akiba Y, Morishita Y, Iwasa A, Iwasaki T, Miyake Y. Analysis of blood flow in a third ventricular ependymoma and an olfactory bulb meningioma by using perfusion computed tomography.. J Vet Med Sci 2008 Sep;70(9):981-3.
    doi: 10.1292/jvms.70.981pubmed: 18840975google scholar: lookup
  24. Kromhout K, Gielen I, De Cock HE, Van Dyck K, van Bree H. Magnetic resonance and computed tomography imaging of a carotid body tumor in a dog.. Acta Vet Scand 2012 Apr 16;54(1):24.
    doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-54-24pmc: PMC3403989pubmed: 22507757google scholar: lookup
  25. Paul AE, Lenard Z, Mansfield CS. Computed tomography diagnosis of eight dogs with brain infarction.. Aust Vet J 2010 Oct;88(10):374-80.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2010.00629.xpubmed: 20854292google scholar: lookup
  26. Puchalski SM. Advances in equine computed tomography and use of contrast media.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2012 Dec;28(3):563-81.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2012.08.002pubmed: 23177132google scholar: lookup
  27. Pease AP, Schott HC 2nd, Howey EB, Patterson JS. Computed tomographic findings in the pituitary gland and brain of horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.. J Vet Intern Med 2011 Sep-Oct;25(5):1144-51.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.00784.xpubmed: 21985144google scholar: lookup
  28. Bergman Hj, Puchalski Sm, Saunders J. Intracarotid Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography Of The Equine Head. 16th Congress Of The International Veterinary Radiology Association Bursa, Turkey, 2012.
  29. Birnbaum BA, Hindman N, Lee J, Babb JS. Multi-detector row CT attenuation measurements: assessment of intra- and interscanner variability with an anthropomorphic body CT phantom.. Radiology 2007 Jan;242(1):109-19.
    doi: 10.1148/radiol.2421052066pubmed: 17185663google scholar: lookup
  30. Levy RA, Prince MR. Arterial-phase three-dimensional contrast-enhanced MR angiography of the carotid arteries.. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1996 Jul;167(1):211-5.
    doi: 10.2214/ajr.167.1.8659374pubmed: 8659374google scholar: lookup
  31. Joshi S, Meyers PM, Ornstein E. Intracarotid delivery of drugs: the potential and the pitfalls.. Anesthesiology 2008 Sep;109(3):543-64.
    doi: 10.1097/ALN.0b013e318182c81bpmc: PMC3999414pubmed: 18719453google scholar: lookup
  32. Echandi RL, Morandi F, Daniel WT, Paquette JL, Daniel GB. Comparison of transplenic multidetector CT portography to multidetector CT-angiography in normal dogs.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2007 Jan-Feb;48(1):38-44.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2007.00202.xpubmed: 17236359google scholar: lookup
  33. Barone R. Anatomie Comparée Des Mammifères Domestiques, Vol. 5 Angiologie. 4. Paris: Vigot; 1996.
  34. Nickel R, Schummer A, Seiferle E. Lehrbuch Der Anatomie Der Haustiere, Vol. 3 Kreislaufsystem, Haut Und Hautorgane. 4. Berlin: Parey; 2004.
  35. Sisson S, Grossman J. Anatomy of the domestic animals. 4. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company; 1953.
  36. Macdonald DG, Fretz PB, Baptiste KE, Hamilton DL. Anatomic, radiographic and physiologic comparisons of the internal carotid and maxillary artery in the horse.. Vet J 1999 Nov;158(3):182-9.
    doi: 10.1053/tvjl.1998.0350pubmed: 10558837google scholar: lookup
  37. Waldenberger P, Chemelli A, Mallouhi A. Intra-arterial haemodynamic changes during cerebral three-dimensional rotational angiography.. Eur Radiol 2009 Feb;19(2):503-8.
    doi: 10.1007/s00330-008-1161-0pubmed: 18795301google scholar: lookup
  38. Pollard RE, Puchalski SM. Reaction to intraarterial ionic iodinated contrast medium administration in anesthetized horses.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2011 Jul-Aug;52(4):441-3.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2011.01812.xpubmed: 21447035google scholar: lookup
  39. de Vries A, Brearley JC, Taylor PM. Effects of dobutamine on cardiac index and arterial blood pressure in isoflurane-anaesthetized horses under clinical conditions.. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2009 Aug;32(4):353-8.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.2008.01051.xpubmed: 19614840google scholar: lookup
  40. Gunkel CI, Valverde A, Robertson SA, Thompson MS, Keoughan CG, Ferrell EA. Treatment for a severe reaction to intravenous administration of diatrizoate in an anesthetized horse.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2004 Apr 1;224(7):1143-6, 1112.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.2004.224.1143pubmed: 15074862google scholar: lookup
  41. Pollard RE, Puchalski SM, Pascoe PJ. Hemodynamic and serum biochemical alterations associated with intravenous administration of three types of contrast media in anesthetized cats.. Am J Vet Res 2008 Oct;69(10):1274-8.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.69.10.1274pubmed: 18828682google scholar: lookup
  42. Vance A, Nelson M, Hofmeister EH. Adverse reactions following administration of an ionic iodinated contrast media in anesthetized dogs.. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2012 May-Jun;48(3):172-5.
    doi: 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-5689pubmed: 22474043google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Stieger-Vanegas SM, Hanna AL. The Role of Computed Tomography in Imaging Non-neurologic Disorders of the Head in Equine Patients. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:798216.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.798216pubmed: 35321060google scholar: lookup
  2. Kozłowska N, Wierzbicka M, Jasiński T, Domino M. Advances in the Diagnosis of Equine Respiratory Diseases: A Review of Novel Imaging and Functional Techniques. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 4;12(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12030381pubmed: 35158704google scholar: lookup
  3. Frey K, Perlini M, Reed R. Time Attenuation Curves for Equine Intravenous Contrast Enhanced Skull CT Using the Medial Saphenous and Cephalic Veins. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2026 Jan;67(1):e70115.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.70115pubmed: 41358792google scholar: lookup
  4. Matos MD, Toledo FSRG, Rocha LM, Bendas AJR. Applicability of computed tomography and rhinoscopy in the diagnosis and monitoring of the treatment of epistaxis in a dog. Braz J Vet Med 2024;46:e008624.
    doi: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm008624pubmed: 39811569google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,928 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.