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Equine veterinary journal2024; doi: 10.1111/evj.14045

Substantial variability exists in the interpretation of survey radiographs among equine veterinarians.

Abstract: Radiographs are a common diagnostic tool utilised during pre-purchase examinations, yet differences surround their interpretation among equine veterinarians. Objective: (1) To determine veterinarians' subjective impressions of a spectrum of radiographic abnormalities regarding suitability for purchase; (2) To determine how veterinarians' years in practice, primary discipline or board certification status influence their subjective impression of radiographic abnormalities, and (3) To determine how horses' discipline, current level of work (working at intended level vs. future prospect) and buyer intent (sell vs. retain ownership) influence veterinarians' subsequent recommendation. Methods: Worldwide electronic survey of veterinary professionals. Methods: Four radiographic series of navicular bones, tarsi, and stifles, representing varying degrees of pathological change (normal, mild, moderate and marked) were presented. Respondents (n = 211) graded their level of concern from 1 (no concern) to 10 (very concerned) based on the radiographs and case scenarios presented. Results: Overall, as the grade of pathological change increased for each anatomical location, so did the level of veterinarian concern, but a wide range of answers were submitted for all grades of pathology. Board certified practitioners had a higher level of concern over marked radiographic changes of the navicular bone for both western performance and English sport horses as well as prospect horses (mean = 7.2 vs. 6.1; P = 0.009; 95% CI for difference = [0.3, 2.0]). Board certified respondents had a lower level of concern over marked radiographic changes of the tarsus regardless of the performance status of the horse (mean = 7.1 vs. 8.0; P = 0.008; 95% CI for difference = [-1.5, -0.2]). Western performance horse practitioners had a lower level of concern over mild radiographic changes of the tarsus regardless of the performance status of the horse (mean = 3.3 vs. 4.2; P = 0.009; 95% CI for difference = [-1.6, -0.2]). Conclusions: Only one example of each pathological grade per anatomical region was presented. Conclusions: On survey radiographs, the perceived clinical relevance of radiographic abnormalities among equine practitioners differs widely, making purchase recommendations highly variable.
© 2024 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2024-01-09 PubMed ID: 38194693DOI: 10.1111/evj.14045Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 research investigates the varying interpretations of horse radiographs among equine veterinarians. The variables studied include the veterinarian’s years of practice, discipline, and board certification status, and the horse’s work level and buyer intent.

Objective of the Study

  • The study aimed to determine veterinarians’ subjective impressions of varying degrees of radiographic abnormalities and how these impressions influence their purchase recommendations.
  • The study also aimed to explore whether factors like a veterinarian’s practice years, primary discipline, board certification status, and the horse’s work level and buyer intent, influence the interpretation of radiographic abnormalities.

Methods Employed

  • A worldwide electronic survey was conducted among veterinary professionals.
  • Four series of navicular bones, tarsi, and stifles radiographs were presented, representing varying levels of pathological change.
  • The respondents were requested to grade their level of concern from 1 (no concern) to 10 (very concerned) based on their interpretation of the radiographs and associated case scenarios.

Study Results

  • The study discovered that increased pathological change in the radiograph correlated with heightened concern amongst the veterinarians, but these concerns widely varied.
  • Board certified veterinary practitioners exhibited higher concern levels over significantly changed navicular bone radiographs for both western performance and English sports horses, including prospect horses.
  • These certified practitioners were less concerned about marked radiographic changes of the horse’s tarsus, irrespective of the horse’s performance status.
  • Western performance horse practitioners were less concerned about minor radiographic changes of the horse’s tarsus, again regardless of the horse’s performance status.

Conclusions of the Study

  • The study concluded that perceived clinical relevance of radiographic abnormalities among equine practitioners varies considerably, making purchase recommendations highly diverse.
  • Only one example of each pathological grade per anatomical region was presented in the study, indicating a potential limitation in the generalisation of the findings.

Cite This Article

APA
Esselman AM, Johnson SA, Frisbie DD, Barrett MF, Zhou T, Contino EK. (2024). Substantial variability exists in the interpretation of survey radiographs among equine veterinarians. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14045

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Esselman, Angie M
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Orthopaedic Research Center at the Translational Medicine Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Johnson, Sherry A
  • Equine Sports Medicine, Pilot Point, Texas, USA.
Frisbie, David D
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Orthopaedic Research Center at the Translational Medicine Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Barrett, Myra F
  • Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Zhou, Tianjian
  • Department of Statistics, College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Contino, Erin K
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Orthopaedic Research Center at the Translational Medicine Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Ennsmann LH, Licka TF. Association between radiographic equine distal phalanx characteristics and absence, presence and type of horseshoes. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1598038.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1598038pubmed: 40786980google scholar: lookup
  2. Argue BJ, Ahern BJ. Evaluation of agreement for radiographic lesions and risk for racing in thoroughbred yearling sale repository radiographs. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1430993.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1430993pubmed: 39421830google scholar: lookup
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