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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Radiol Ultrasound / The equine diaphragm: A novel technique for repeatable ultra...
Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association2020; 61(6); 705-717; doi: 10.1111/vru.12903

The equine diaphragm: A novel technique for repeatable ultrasound measurement.

Abstract: The diaphragm is an important respiratory muscle, playing a key role during exercise. In humans, diaphragm thickness increases in response to training and is correlated with inspiratory strength. In order to assess respiratory strength in the horse, new evaluation techniques are required and measurement of diaphragm thickness, in a non-invasive and repeatable manner, is a possible approach. The purposes of this four-part, prospective, pilot study were to develop and describe a repeatable method to measure the diaphragm thickness, using ultrasonography, in Thoroughbred racehorses. A standardized technique was developed whereby the ultrasound transducer was positioned 1 cm below a line between the cranioventral aspect of the tuber coxae and olecranon. The diaphragm thickness was measured on three occasions 1 week apart, by a single observer to determine the intraobserver repeatability, and by a second observer on one occasion to assess interobserver reproducibility. The diaphragm was observed in all intercostal spaces (ICS) from 7 to 17 on the left side, and 6 to 17 on the right side in a single horse. The thickest measurement (1.42 cm), obtained from 11 horses, was at ICS 11 on the left-side during inspiration. The narrowest measurement (0.56 cm) was obtained at ICS 16 on the right-side during expiration. There was no significant difference between the measurements obtained by a single observer on three occasions (P < .05). This is the first study to provide a detailed description of ultrasonographic imaging and measurement of the equine diaphragm. The novel technique developed to position the ultrasound transducer in a standardized location allowed examination and measurement of the diaphragm with good repeatability.
© 2020 The Authors. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Radiology.
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Publication Date: 2020-08-17 PubMed ID: 32808365DOI: 10.1111/vru.12903Google 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 article describes a new method to repeatedly and non-invasively measure the thickness of a horse’s diaphragm using ultrasound, similar to techniques used in humans, enabling assessment of respiratory strength in thoroughbred racehorses.

Background

  • The researchers conduct a pilot study to formulate a technique for non-invasively and repeatedly measuring the thickness of the diaphragm in horses. This method uses ultrasonography, which is analogous to the technique used in humans. Such measurements could be vital for the assessment of an equine’s respiratory strength.
  • As observed in humans, the thickness of diaphragm increases in response to physical training and leads to improved inspiratory strength. This necessitates the development of methods to measure this muscle’s thickness in animals, especially horses known for their racing prowess.

Methodology

  • The method involves positioning an ultrasound transducer at a particular location – 1 cm under a line drawn between the tuber coxae and olecranon. The visualization and measurements are carried out through the intercostal spaces (ICS).
  • In order to establish this technique’s reliability and repeatability, thickness measurements were taken on three separate occasions over a week by one observer (intraobserver repeatability). A second observer was involved for further evaluation of the reproducibility of results (interobserver reproducibility).
  • In their study, the ultrasound visualization of the diaphragm across all ICS was successful, ranging from 7-17 on the left and 6-17 on the right side, based on observations from a single horse.

Results and Findings

  • The thickest and the narrowest measurements of the diaphragm, as observed were 1.42 cm and 0.56 cm respectively. The thickest was obtained during inspiration at ICS 11 on the left side, and the narrowest at ICS 16 on the right side during expiration.
  • The research showed no significant difference in the measurements taken by a single observer over three different time points, indicating good repeatability of the developed method.

Conclusion

  • The research is the first of its kind to devise a novel technique for ultrasonographic imaging and repeated measurements of the equine diaphragm.
  • This technique will provide a standardized approach to position the transducer and allow good repeatability in measuring the diaphragm thickness. The paper stipulates that this will be crucial for comprehensively assessing equine respiratory strength, particularly in racehorses.

Cite This Article

APA
Fitzharris LE, Meehan LJ, Hezzell MJ, Allen KJ. (2020). The equine diaphragm: A novel technique for repeatable ultrasound measurement. Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 61(6), 705-717. https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.12903

Publication

Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association
ISSN: 1740-8261
NlmUniqueID: 9209635
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 61
Issue: 6
Pages: 705-717

Researcher Affiliations

Fitzharris, Laura E
  • University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Meehan, Lucinda J
  • University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Hezzell, Melanie J
  • University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Allen, Kate J
  • University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Diaphragm / diagnostic imaging
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Male
  • Observer Variation
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Pilot Projects
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Ultrasonography / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • Horserace Betting Levy Board

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Fitzharris LE, Hezzell MJ, McConnell AK, Allen KJ. Training the equine respiratory muscles: Inspiratory muscle strength.. Equine Vet J 2023 Mar;55(2):306-314.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13606pubmed: 35711132google scholar: lookup
  2. Fitzharris LE, Hezzell MJ, McConnell AK, Allen KJ. Training the equine respiratory muscles: Ultrasonographic measurement of muscle size.. Equine Vet J 2023 Mar;55(2):295-305.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13598pubmed: 35575148google scholar: lookup
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