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Frontiers in veterinary science2022; 9; 868390; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.868390

Post-mortem Computed Tomographic Angiography in Equine Distal Forelimbs: A Feasibility Study.

Abstract: In-depth understanding of pathophysiological processes occurring in the vasculature of the equine distal limb is of great importance to improve both diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to diseases. To gain further insights, a model allowing high-resolution 3D-visualization of the vasculature is necessary. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of restoring vascular perfusion in frozen-thawed distal equine cadaver limbs without prior preparation using computer tomographic imaging (CT). Five frozen-thawed, radiographically normal forelimbs were perfused with a lipophilic contrast agent through the median artery and radial vein in three phases (arterial, venous, and arterial-venous combined (AVC) dynamic). For comparison, one additional limb was perfused with a hydrosoluble contrast agent. The CT-studies (16-slice MDCT, 140 kV, 200 mA, 2 mm slice thickness, 1 mm increment, pitch 0.688) were evaluated at 11 specified regions for visualization of the vasculature and presence of artifacts or anatomic variations. The protocol used in this study proved to be feasible and provided good visualization (93.1%) of vasculature with low rates of artifacts. During the different phases, vascular visualization was similar, but while filling defects decreased in the later phases, extravasation worsened in the 2 limbs where it was observed. Subjectively, the best quality of angiographic images was achieved during the AVC dynamic phase. Perfusion with hydrosoluble contrast resulted in significantly lower vascular visualization (74.0%) and higher artifact rates. This study shows that reperfusion of frozen-thawed equine distal limbs with a lipophilic contrast agent allows for high-quality 3D-visualization of the vasculature and may serve as a model for vascular evaluation in the future.
Copyright © 2022 Blaettler, Kaessmeyer, Grabherr, Koch, Schweizer and Van der Vekens.
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Publication Date: 2022-05-11 PubMed ID: 35647108PubMed Central: PMC9132589DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.868390Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

This research is about a feasibility study which explored the use of a specific technique, post-mortem computed tomographic angiography, to examine the blood vessels in the lower legs of horses, with the aim to deepen understanding of disease processes in this area and improve diagnostic methods and treatments.

Introduction and Aim

  • The focus of the research is the vasculature (system of blood vessels) in the distal limb (lower leg) of horses. Detailed knowledge of this area is crucial to diagnose and treat diseases more effectively.
  • High-resolution 3D visualisation is needed to gather more insight into the ailments affecting this area. The research aimed to establish the viability of a method for achieving this.
  • The authors conducted a pilot study using post-mortem computed tomographic imaging (CT), a scanning technique that creates detailed 3D images of the inside of the body, on distal equine cadaver limbs that were frozen and thawed.

Methodology

  • A lipophilic contrast agent, a substance that improves the visibility of internal structures during a CT scan, was introduced into the horse limbs via the median artery and radial vein. This was done in three phases: arterial, venous, and arterial-venous combined (AVC) dynamic.
  • For comparison, one limb was infused with a hydrosoluble (water-soluble) contrast agent instead.
  • Special settings were used for the CT studies, and the resulting images were examined at 11 specific regions for clarity, any artifacts, and for anatomical variations.

Results

  • The study method provided excellent images (93.1% clarity) of the vasculature with a low rate of artifacts or image distortions.
  • Although vascular visualization was consistent across the different phases, there was a decrease in filling defects, but an increase in extravasation (leakage of injected material into surrounding tissues) in the two limbs where this was noted.
  • The researchers found that the AVC dynamic phase delivered the highest quality of angiographic images.
  • The use of hydrosoluble contrast resulted in significantly lower visualisation of the vasculature (74.0%) and higher levels of artifacts.

Conclusion

  • This study demonstrated that the method of reperfusing frozen-thawed equine distal limbs with a lipophilic contrast agent allows for high-quality 3D visualization of the vasculature, making it a potentially useful model for vascular evaluation in the future.

Cite This Article

APA
Blaettler C, Kaessmeyer S, Grabherr S, Koch C, Schweizer D, Van der Vekens E. (2022). Post-mortem Computed Tomographic Angiography in Equine Distal Forelimbs: A Feasibility Study. Front Vet Sci, 9, 868390. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.868390

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 9
Pages: 868390
PII: 868390

Researcher Affiliations

Blaettler, Chantal
  • Division of Clinical Radiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Kaessmeyer, Sabine
  • Division of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Grabherr, Silke
  • Centre Universitaire Roman (Lausanne-Geneva), University Centre of Legal Medicine (CURML), Lausanne, Switzerland.
Koch, Christoph
  • Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Schweizer, Daniela
  • Division of Clinical Radiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Van der Vekens, Elke
  • Division of Clinical Radiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Metzger MD, Van der Vekens E, Rieger J, Forterre F, Vincenti S. Preliminary Studies on the Intrahepatic Anatomy of the Venous Vasculature in Cats. Vet Sci 2022 Nov 2;9(11).
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  2. Underberg BA, Van der Vekens E, Drews B, Kaessmeyer S. Cyclooxygenase-2 and von Willebrand factor-an immunohistochemical study of the equine foot with and without laminitis, post-mortem perfused with paraffin oil. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1673415.
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  3. Underberg BA, Kaessmeyer S, Schweizer D, Drews B, Van der Vekens E. Non-contrast enhanced visualization of the equine foot vasculature in a cadaver model using time-of-flight sequence. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1585940.
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