FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Surg / Preoperative computed tomographic evaluation of neonatal foa...
Veterinary surgery : VS2022; 51(5); 816-826; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13817

Preoperative computed tomographic evaluation of neonatal foals with rib fractures.

Abstract: To compare ultrasonographic and computed tomographic findings in neonatal foals prior to surgical repair of rib fractures as well as postoperative outcomes in foals with and without preoperative thoracic computed tomography (CT). Study design Retrospective cohort study. Sample population 43 neonatal foals undergoing surgical treatment of rib fractures between 2013 and 2021. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for age, sex, delivery method, comorbidities, presurgical anesthetic time, surgical time, number and location of fractured ribs identified with ultrasound and CT, number and location of ribs surgically repaired, survival to discharge, and post-mortem findings. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square, Fisher's exact, and t-tests. Results: Twenty-two foals underwent surgical repair of rib fractures after preoperative CT from 2019-2021 (median: 4/18/20) and 21 foals were anesthetized (20 underwent repair) for surgical repair of rib fractures without preoperative CT from 2013-2020 (median: 4/9/15). Ultrasound and CT findings differed in number and location of fractured ribs in 13/17 (76%) foals (p = .049). More cranially positioned ribs were identified as fractured with CT than with ultrasonography (p = .035). Survival to discharge was improved when foals underwent CT (20/22, 91%) than when they did not (12/20, 60%, p = .019). Conclusions: Ultrasound findings differed from CT findings in most foals. Foals evaluated with CT were more likely to survive to hospital discharge. Conclusions: When available, CT is recommended prior to surgical repair of rib fractures in neonatal foals.
© 2022 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2022-05-02 PubMed ID: 35500138DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13817Google 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 investigates the effectiveness of preoperative computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation and surgical repair of rib fractures in neonatal foals. It indicates that CT evaluation results in better identification of fractured ribs and improves the survival rate in comparison to ultrasound examination.

Study Design and Population

  • This was a retrospective cohort study that examined the medical records of 43 neonatal foals who underwent surgical treatment for rib fractures from 2013 to 2021.

Methods

  • Multiple aspects were taken into consideration while reviewing the records including age, sex, delivery method, comorbidities, presurgical anesthetic time, surgical time, number and location of fractured ribs detected via ultrasound and CT, number and location of ribs surgically mended, survival to discharge, and post-mortem findings.
  • Mathematical analyses were conducted using chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and t-tests.

Results

  • It was observed that 22 foals had undergone surgical repair of rib fractures following a preoperative CT from 2019-2021. In comparison, 20 out of 21 foals that did not receive a preoperative CT, were anesthetized and treated for rib fractures from 2013-2020.
  • It also showed that in 76% of the foals examined, ultrasonography and CT produced different results in terms of count and location of the rib fractures.
  • A higher number of cranially positioned ribs were detected as fractured with CT than with ultrasound.
  • Moreover, the study found an improved survival rate at discharge when foals were evaluated first with a CT before surgery than those who weren’t (91% survival rate with CT and 60% without).

Conclusions

  • The study indicates that there are differences in the findings of the ultrasound and CT scans. CT appears to be more accurate in identifying the location and number of fractured ribs.
  • The higher survival rate adds to the evidence suggesting that using CT before surgery increases the chances of recovery and survival.
  • Therefore, the study authors recommend the use of CT, when available, before performing surgical repair of rib fractures on neonatal foals.

Cite This Article

APA
Garrett KS, Embertson RM, Hopper SA, Woodie JB, McQuerry KJ. (2022). Preoperative computed tomographic evaluation of neonatal foals with rib fractures. Vet Surg, 51(5), 816-826. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13817

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 51
Issue: 5
Pages: 816-826

Researcher Affiliations

Garrett, Katherine S
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Embertson, Rolf M
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Hopper, Scott A
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Woodie, J Brett
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
McQuerry, Kristen J
  • Department of Biostatistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rib Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Rib Fractures / surgery
  • Rib Fractures / veterinary
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
  • Ultrasonography / veterinary

References

This article includes 22 references
  1. Jean D, Laverty S, Halley J, Hannigan D, Léveillé R. Thoracic trauma in newborn foals.. Equine Vet J 1999;31(2):149-152.
  2. Schambourg MA, Laverty S, Mullim S, Fogarty UM, Halley J. Thoracic trauma in foals: post mortem findings.. Equine Vet J 2003;35(1):78-81.
  3. Sprayberry KA, Bain FT, Seahorn TL, Slovis NM, Byars TD. 56 cases of rib fractures in neonatal foals hospitalized in a referral center intensive care unit from 1997-2001.. Proc Am Assoc Eq Pract 2001;47:395-399.
  4. Jean D, Picandet V, Macieira S, Beauregard G, D'Anjou MA, Beauchamp G. Detection of rib trauma in newborn foals in an equine critical care unit: a comparison of ultrasonography, radiography and physical examination.. Equine Vet J 2007;39(2):158-163.
  5. Sprayberry KA. Ultrasonographic examination of the equine neonate thorax and abdomen.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2015;31(3):515-543.
  6. Bellezzo F, Hunt RJ, Provost P, Bain FT, Kirker-Head C. Surgical repair of rib fractures in 14 neonatal foals: case selection, surgical technique and results.. Equine Vet J 2004;36(7):557-562.
  7. Downs C, Rodgerson D. The use of nylon cable ties to repair rib fractures in neonatal foals.. Can Vet J 2011;52(3):307-309.
  8. Kraus BM, Richardson DW, Sheridan G, Wilkins PA. Multiple rib fracture in a neonatal foal using a nylon strand suture repair technique.. Vet Surg 2005;34(4):399-404.
  9. Williams TB, Williams JM, Rodgerson DH. Internal fixation of fractured ribs in neonatal foals with nylon cable tie using a modified technique.. Can Vet J 2017;58(6):579-581.
  10. Shelmerdine SC, Langan D, Hutchinson JC. Chest radiographs versus CT for the detection of rib fractures in children (DRIFT): a diagnostic accuracy observational study.. Lancet Child Adolesc Heal 2018;2(11):802-811.
  11. Talbot BS Jr CPG, Chaturvedi A, Klionsky N, Hobbs SK, Chaturvedi A. Traumatic rib injury: patterns, imaging pitfalls, complications, and treatment.. Radiographics 2017;37(2):628-651.
  12. Pulley BR, Taylor BC, Fowler TT, Dominguez N, Trinh TQ. Utility of three-dimensional computed tomography for the surgical management of rib fractures.. J Trauma Acute Care 2015;78(3):530-534.
  13. Dancer SC, Roux CL, Fosgate GT, Kirberger RM. Radiography is less sensitive relative to CT for detecting thoracic radiographic changes in dogs affected by blunt trauma secondary to a motor vehicle accident.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2019;60(6):648-658.
  14. Çelik A, Akoglu H, Omercikoglu S. The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography for the diagnosis of rib fractures in patients presenting to emergency department with blunt chest trauma.. J Emerg Med 2021;60(1):90-97.
  15. Aboughalia HA, Ngo A-V, Menashe SJ, Kim HHR, Iyer RS. Pediatric rib pathologies: clinicoimaging scenarios and approach to diagnosis.. Pediatr Radiol 2021;51:1-15.
  16. Kozaci N, Avcı M, Ararat E. Comparison of ultrasonography and computed tomography in the determination of traumatic thoracic injuries.. Am J Emerg Med 2019;37(5):864-868.
  17. Livingston DH, Shogan B, John P, Lavery RF. CT diagnosis of rib fractures and the prediction of acute respiratory failure.. J Trauma Inj Infect Critical Care 2008;64(4):905-911.
  18. Griffith JF, Rainer TH, Ching AS, Law KL, Cocks RA, Metreweli C. Sonography compared with radiography in revealing acute rib fracture.. Am J Roentgenol 1999;173(6):1603-1609.
  19. Schliewert E-C, Lascola KM, O'Brien RT. Comparison of radiographic and computed tomographic images of the lungs in healthy neonatal foals.. Am J Vet Res 2015;76(1):42-52.
  20. Lascola KM, O'brien RT, Wilkins PA, Clark-Price SC, Hartman SK, Mitchell MA. Qualitative and quantitative interpretation of computed tomography of the lungs in healthy neonatal foals.. Am J Vet Res 2013;74(9):1239-1246.
  21. Wion L, Perkins G, Ainsworth DM, Dykes NL, Divers TJ. Use of computerised tomography to diagnose a Rhodococcus equi mediastinal abscess causing severe respiratory distress in a foal.. Equine Vet J 2001;33(5):523-526.
  22. Mauf S, Held U, Gascho D. Flat chest projection in the detection and visualization of rib fractures: a cross-sectional study comparing curved and multiplanar reformation of computed tomography images in different reader groups.. Forensic Sci Int 2019;303:109942.

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,383 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.