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Journal of synchrotron radiation2021; 28(Pt 6); 1769-1777; doi: 10.1107/S1600577521010493

Synchrotron CT of an equine digit at the Australian Synchrotron Imaging and Medical Beamline.

Abstract: Laminitis is an extremely painful and debilitating condition of horses that can affect their athletic ability and even quality of life. The current gold standard for assessment of laminar tissue is histology, which is the only modality that enables detailed visualization of the lamina. Histology requires dissection of the hoof and therefore can only represent one specific time point. The superior spatial and contrast resolution of synchrotron computed tomography (sCT), when compared with readily available imaging modalities, such as radiographs and conventional CT, provides an opportunity for detailed studies of the lamina without the need for hoof dissection and histological assessment. If the resolution of histology can be matched or even approached, dynamic events, such as laminar blood flow, could also be studied on the microscopic tissue level. To investigate this possible application of sCT further, two objectives are presented: (i) to develop a protocol for sCT of an equine digit using cadaver limbs and (ii) to apply the imaging protocol established during (i) for sCT imaging of the vasculature within the foot using an ex vivo perfusion system to deliver the vascular contrast. The hypotheses were that sCT would allow sufficient resolution for detailed visualization to the level of the secondary lamellae and associated capillaries within the equine digit. Synchrotron CT enabled good visualization of the primary lamellae (average length 3.6 mm) and the ex vivo perfusion system was able to deliver vascular contrast agent to the vessels of the lamina. The individual secondary lamellae (average length 0.142 mm) could not be seen in detail, although differentiation between primary and secondary lamellae was achieved. This approaches, but does not yet reach, the current gold standard, histology, for assessment of the lamellae; however, with further refinement of this imaging technique, improved resolution may be accomplished in future studies.
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Publication Date: 2021-10-22 PubMed ID: 34738930PubMed Central: PMC8570209DOI: 10.1107/S1600577521010493Google 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.

The researchers investigated the use of synchrotron computed tomography (sCT) for examining the lamina, a part of a horse’s hoof affected by laminitis, an extremely painful condition. While it failed to achieve the detail level of the current gold standard (histology), there is potential for refinement and possible future use of sCT in studying dynamic events like blood flow in the lamellae microstructures.

Context and Aims

  • This research aims to enhance the current understanding and treatment of laminitis, a serious, painful condition that can hinder a horse’s athletic performance and life quality.
  • The study focused on exploring synchrotron computed tomography (sCT) as an alternative to histology for examining the lamina. The advantage of sCT is that it can carry out detailed investigations without requiring hoof dissection or histological assessment.
  • Two primary objectives were laid out: Developing a protocol for sCT using cadaver limbs of horses and applying this established protocol for imaging the vasculature in the foot using a perfusion system.
  • The research hypothesized that sCT could provide adequate resolution for detailed imaging of both the secondary lamellae and its associated capillaries.

Methodology and Findings

  • The research successfully accomplished good visualization of the primary lamellae through sCT. The ex vivo perfusion system was used to supply vascular contrast agent to the lamina’s vessels.
  • However, the technique didn’t provide sufficient resolution to view the secondary lamellae in detail, though it could distinguish between primary and secondary lamellae.
  • While the results indicate that sCT isn’t a full replacement for histology for lamellar assessment, there is potential for its application, especially with further refinement and improvement in imaging resolution.

Conclusions and Future Implications

  • While sCT could instrumentally visualize primary lamellae and induce the vascular contrast agent in lamina vessels, it lacked the resolution to see secondary lamellae in detail.
  • The limitation suggests that while synchrotron CT could serve as a supplemental tool to histology, it currently cannot replace it. However, if the resolution of the sCT is enhanced through further technological advancements, it holds the potential to assess dynamic events like blood flow at the tissue micro-level, providing a new dimension to laminitis study and treatment.

Cite This Article

APA
Montgomery JB, Klein M, Boire JR, Beck C, Häusermann D, Maksimenko A, Hall CJ. (2021). Synchrotron CT of an equine digit at the Australian Synchrotron Imaging and Medical Beamline. J Synchrotron Radiat, 28(Pt 6), 1769-1777. https://doi.org/10.1107/S1600577521010493

Publication

Journal of synchrotron radiation
ISSN: 1600-5775
NlmUniqueID: 9888878
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 28
Issue: Pt 6
Pages: 1769-1777

Researcher Affiliations

Montgomery, J B
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada.
Klein, M
  • Imaging and Medical Beamline, Australian Synchrotron (ANSTO), Wurundjeri Country, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.
Boire, J R
  • RMD Engineering Inc., Saskatoon, SK S7K 3J7, Canada.
Beck, C
  • University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia.
Häusermann, D
  • Imaging and Medical Beamline, Australian Synchrotron (ANSTO), Wurundjeri Country, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.
Maksimenko, A
  • Imaging and Medical Beamline, Australian Synchrotron (ANSTO), Wurundjeri Country, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.
Hall, C J
  • Imaging and Medical Beamline, Australian Synchrotron (ANSTO), Wurundjeri Country, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Australia
  • Hoof and Claw / diagnostic imaging
  • Horses
  • Quality of Life
  • Synchrotrons
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Grant Funding

  • 15938 / Australian Synchrotron

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Macrì S, Di-Poï N. The SmARTR pipeline: A modular workflow for the cinematic rendering of 3D scientific imaging data. iScience 2024 Dec 20;27(12):111475.
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