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BMC veterinary research2019; 15(1); 343; doi: 10.1186/s12917-019-2104-5

Ultrasonographic assessment of normal jugular veins in Standardbred horses.

Abstract: Ultrasonography (US) is the recommended imaging technique to evaluate jugular veins. This prospective randomized clinical study was designed to collect a series of B-mode US measurements of manually distended jugular veins in healthy Italian Standardbreds and to find possible correlations between ultrasound measurements and animal morphometric characteristics. Forty-two horses, eight males and 34 females (range 3-22 years; bodyweight 494.4 ± 41.7 kg), were included in the study. The diameters and wall thicknesses of both jugular veins were measured at three different sites of the neck. The differences in ultrasound measurements based on scans, age, gender, side, and site of the neck were evaluated by ANOVA or by the Kruskal-Wallis test. The effects of the morphometric measures on each ultrasound parameter were evaluated by MANOVA (P < 0.05). Results: The ultrasound measurements did not differ significantly between the three different sites or between genders; hence, they were pooled together in the results. On the transverse scan, the mean dorsoventral and lateromedial diameters were 1.58 ± 0.23 and 2.20 ± 0.25 cm, respectively; the mean superficial and deep wall thicknesses (SWT and DWT) were 0.07 ± 0.01 and 0.08 ± 0.01 cm, respectively. On the longitudinal scan, the mean dorsoventral diameter was 1.59 ± 0.26 cm, and the SWT and DWT were both 0.08 ± 0.01 cm. Neck length, from the caudal edge of the mandible to the thoracic inlet, was related to the dorsoventral diameter in both longitudinal and transverse scan and to the SWT and DWT in transverse scan, whereas height at the withers (measured with tape) and estimated weight were related to the wall thickness. Dividing the subjects into groups by age in years ("young" 3-7, "mature" 8-14, "old" > 14), differences were found for the lateromedial diameter in the transverse scan and the SWT on the longitudinal scan. The main limitation of this study was that only one operator performed the measurements. Conclusions: The US measurements of the jugular veins and their relationship with morphometric measures reported in this manuscript might be considered as guidelines both for early diagnosis and monitoring jugular vein abnormalities in healthy Italian Standardbred horses.
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Publication Date: 2019-10-16 PubMed ID: 31619232PubMed Central: PMC6794831DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2104-5Google 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.

This study uses ultrasonography to evaluate the normal jugular vein measurements in Standardbred horses and look for correlations between these measurements and the horses’ physical characteristics. The study concludes that the information gathered could be used as guidelines for early diagnosis and monitoring of jugular vein irregularities in these horses.

Objective and Methodology

  • The research conducted was a prospective randomized clinical study. The main intent was to use B-mode Ultrasonography for assessing jugular veins in healthy Italian Standardbred horses. The idea was also to explore any potential links between ultrasound results and physical attributes or morphometric characteristics.
  • 42 horses were selected for the study. These were made up of eight males and 34 females, ranging in age between 3 to 22 years and averaging a weight of 494.4 ± 41.7 kg.
  • Measurements of the diameters and wall thicknesses of both jugular veins were taken at three different sites along the animal’s neck.
  • The researchers applied statistical methods, using ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests, investigating differences in ultrasound measurements based on various factors, such as scan type, age, gender, and location on the neck.
  • The researchers also conducted multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) to evaluate how the horses’ physical characteristics affected the ultrasound measurements.

Results

  • The US measurements did not exhibit significant differences based on the three distinct sites on the neck or between genders.
  • The average dorsoventral and lateromedial diameters on the transverse scan were 1.58 ± 0.23 cm and 2.20 ± 0.25 cm, respectively. On the other hand, the mean superficial and deep wall thicknesses were 0.07 ± 0.01 cm and 0.08 ± 0.01 cm respectively.
  • For the longitudinal scan, the mean dorsoventral diameter was 1.59 ± 0.26 cm, and the SWT and DWT were both 0.08 ± 0.01 cm.
  • Neck length was found to be related to dorsoventral diameter in both longitudinal and transverse scans.
  • When horses were divided into age groups (“young” 3-7, “mature” 8-14, “old” > 14), differences were found for the lateromedial diameter in the transverse scan and the SWT on the longitudinal scan.

Limitations and Conclusions

  • The main limitation of the study was the fact that all measurements were performed by a single operator, which might introduce some level of bias.
  • Based on the data collected, the researchers concluded that the ultrasound measurements of the jugular veins offered significant insights that could serve as guidelines for early diagnosis and ongoing monitoring of jugular vein abnormalities in Italian Standardbred horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Pasolini MP, Spinella G, Del Prete C, Valentini S, Coluccia P, Auletta L, Greco M, Meomartino L. (2019). Ultrasonographic assessment of normal jugular veins in Standardbred horses. BMC Vet Res, 15(1), 343. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-019-2104-5

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Pages: 343
PII: 343

Researcher Affiliations

Pasolini, Maria Pia
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via a Federico Delpino, 1, 80137, Naples, Italy.
Spinella, Giuseppe
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University Alma Mater of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, BO, Italy.
Del Prete, Chiara
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via a Federico Delpino, 1, 80137, Naples, Italy. chiara.delprete@unina.it.
Valentini, Simona
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University Alma Mater of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, BO, Italy.
Coluccia, Pierpaolo
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via a Federico Delpino, 1, 80137, Naples, Italy.
Auletta, Luigi
  • IRCCS SDN, via E. Gianturco 113, 80143, Naples, Italy.
Greco, Michele
  • Clevedale Veterinary Practice, Home Farm, Redcar, UK.
Meomartino, Leonardo
  • Interdepartmental Radiology Centre, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Jugular Veins / anatomy & histology
  • Jugular Veins / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Ultrasonography / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

Professor Giuseppe Spinella is associate editor of BMC Veterinary Research, and he was not involved in the editorial handling of this manuscript. All other authors have no competing interests.

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