Magnetic resonance imaging of pulp in normal and diseased equine cheek teeth.
Abstract: A retrospective analysis of 619 upper and lower cheek teeth from 62 horses was performed. Based on clinical findings, as well as radiographic and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings, the teeth were classified into five groups. There were 20 teeth with abnormal MR imaging signals as well as clinical alterations and 599 healthy teeth. Using MR imaging, the appearance of pulp in diseased and disease-free teeth was compared, and the appearance of abnormal pulp was studied. Subsequently, the ability of MR imaging to diagnose pulpitis and pulp necrosis in teeth with normal external appearance was investigated. In horses with clinically verified dental disease, abnormal MR imaging findings were confirmed in the pulp of all affected teeth. An enlarged blurred pulp image with a lower signal intensity was observed only in clinically diseased teeth and was a reliable criterion for diagnosing dental disease on MR imaging. On the other hand, partial or complete absence of pulp in all MR imaging sequences was observed in both diseased and nondiseased teeth. These data demonstrate that pulp changes in equine cheek teeth can be evaluated using MR imaging.
© 2012 Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound.
Publication Date: 2012-09-25 PubMed ID: 23006129DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2012.01971.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research investigates the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in identifying pulp changes in both healthy and diseased teeth of horses. The study examines the specificity of MRI diagnostics in distinguishing between pulpitis and pulp necrosis in teeth that appear normal externally.
Research Scope and Approach
- The research is based on a retrospective analysis of 619 upper and lower cheek teeth sourced from 62 horses.
- These teeth were grouped into five categories based on clinical, radiographic, and MRI findings.
- Out of this sample, 20 teeth exhibited abnormal MRI signals and clinical alterations, while the remainder were healthy.
Comparison and Observations
- Researchers compared the appearance of pulp in both diseased and disease-free teeth using MRI.
- The specific characteristics of abnormal pulp were also studied.
- Every tooth considered clinically diseased showed abnormal MRI findings in the pulp region.
- Only diseased teeth exhibited an enlarged blurred pulp image with a lower signal intensity on the MRI.
- Interestingly, both the diseased and non-diseased teeth showed partial or complete absence of pulp in each MRI sequence.
Reliability of MRI Diagnostics
- The study concluded that the enlarged blurred pulp image with a lower signal intensity on MRI was a reliable criterion for diagnosing dental disease.
- It also highlighted the importance of MRI in evaluating pulp changes in equine cheek teeth.
- However, the research points out that dental vitality can’t always be confirmed by the complete absence or presence of pulp in the MRI, as both healthy and diseased teeth showed these scenarios.
Impact of Findings
- This research helps in enhancing the precision of dental disease diagnostics in horses, thereby assisting in proper treatment and disease management.
- The findings could pave the way for additional research on utilising MRI imaging in other aspects of equine dentistry.
Cite This Article
APA
Gerlach K, Ludewig E, Brehm W, Gerhards H, Delling U.
(2012).
Magnetic resonance imaging of pulp in normal and diseased equine cheek teeth.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 54(1), 48-53.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8261.2012.01971.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. gerlach@vetmed.uni-leipzig.de
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bicuspid / anatomy & histology
- Bicuspid / diagnostic imaging
- Bicuspid / pathology
- Dental Pulp / anatomy & histology
- Dental Pulp / diagnostic imaging
- Dental Pulp / pathology
- Dental Pulp Necrosis / diagnostic imaging
- Dental Pulp Necrosis / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
- Male
- Molar / anatomy & histology
- Molar / diagnostic imaging
- Molar / pathology
- Pulpitis / diagnostic imaging
- Pulpitis / veterinary
- Radiography
- Retrospective Studies
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Röttiger C, Hellige M, Ohnesorge B, Bienert-Zeit A. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography of equine cheek teeth and adjacent structures: comparative study of image quality in horses in vivo, post-mortem and frozen-thawed. Acta Vet Scand 2019 Dec 10;61(1):62.
- Ariji Y, Ariji E, Nakashima M, Iohara K. Magnetic resonance imaging in endodontics: a literature review. Oral Radiol 2018 Jan;34(1):10-16.
- Liuti T, Smith S, Dixon PM. A Comparison of Computed Tomographic, Radiographic, Gross and Histological, Dental, and Alveolar Findings in 30 Abnormal Cheek Teeth from Equine Cadavers. Front Vet Sci 2017;4:236.
- Schoppe C, Hellige M, Rohn K, Ohnesorge B, Bienert-Zeit A. Comparison of computed tomography and high-field (3.0 T) magnetic resonance imaging of age-related variances in selected equine maxillary cheek teeth and adjacent tissues. BMC Vet Res 2017 Sep 6;13(1):280.
- Han B, Chen N, Luo J, Afkhami F, Peters OA, Wang X. Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Dental Pulp Assessment: A Comprehensive Review. J Magn Reson Imaging 2025 Aug;62(2):362-388.
- Korsós SA, Staszyk C, Boone M, Josipovic I, Vogelsberg J, Vlaminck L. Micro-CT and histological examination of accessory canals in 34 equine cheek teeth. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1396871.
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