Ultrasonography of peripheral nerves in the normal adult horse.
Abstract: A study of the ultrasonographic appearance and size of the sciatic, tibial, peroneal, suprascapular, radial, median, and ulnar nerves and a comparison with the anatomic size and location of these nerves in the normal adult horse is reported. Cadavers and live horses were studied. Landmarks for localization and techniques for nerve identification are described. The depth and diameter of each nerve at various locations and the success rate in imaging each nerve are reported. Statistically significant correlations were found between anatomically and ultrasonographically measured nerve depths and diameters. The success rate in identifying nerves was 70% in the live horses and 49% in cadavers, with the deep peroneal nerve being the easiest to identify. Some applications of this technique in horses are discussed.
Publication Date: 2003-08-27 PubMed ID: 12939065DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2003.tb00485.xGoogle 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.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research study focuses on the use of ultrasonography to explore the appearance and size of different nerves in horses. Correlations were found between the depths and diameters measured through anatomical and ultrasonographic methods, with the research also detailing the success rate of identifying various nerves in both living horses and cadavers.
Study Methodology and Design
- The research involved extensive study on the ultrasonographic examination and measurement of sciatic, tibial, peroneal, suprascapular, radial, median, and ulnar nerves in adult horses.
- The study compared these ultrasonographic measurements with the anatomic size and location of the horse’s nerves.
- Both live horses and cadavers were used in this comparative study.
Localization Process and Nerve Identification
- The study describes techniques and landmarks for locating the nerves and for nerve identification. This focuses on the process of distinguishing one nerve from another, a vital element in equine medical examinations.
- For each individual nerve, the researchers reported on the depth and diameter at various locations.
Correlation Results
- The research produced statistically significant correlations between the anatomically and ultrasonographically measured nerve depths and diameters.
- This correlation suggests that there’s a close relationship between the measurements obtained through anatomical studies and those obtained via ultrasonography.
Success Rate of Imaging Each Nerve
- The study also reported on the success rate at which each nerve could be imaged or identified.
- In living horses, the success rate for identifying the nerves was 70%, whereas in cadavers, it was found to be 49%.
- The study found that the deep peroneal nerve was the easiest to identify, showcasing the variation in identification of different nerves.
Possible Applications of the Technique
- The abstract ends by discussing some potential applications of this ultrasonographic technique in horses.
- This discussion suggests different directions for future research to take, building on the results and findings of this study.
Cite This Article
APA
Alexander K, Dobson H.
(2003).
Ultrasonography of peripheral nerves in the normal adult horse.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 44(4), 456-464.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8261.2003.tb00485.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, The Ohio State University, 601 Vernon L. Tharp St., Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Hindlimb / anatomy & histology
- Hindlimb / diagnostic imaging
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Male
- Peripheral Nervous System / diagnostic imaging
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Fouquet G, Abbas G, Johnson JP, Pompermayer E, Harel C, Aldous E, Puchalski S, David F. Ultrasound-guided injection technique of the equine cervical nerve roots. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:992208.
- Zarucco L, Driessen B, Scandella M, Cozzi F, Cantile C. Sensory nerve conduction and nociception in the equine lower forelimb during perineural bupivacaine infusion along the palmar nerves. Can J Vet Res 2010 Oct;74(4):305-13.
- Turan E, Ozsunar Y, Yildirim IG. Ultrasonographic examination of the carpal canal in dogs. J Vet Sci 2009 Mar;10(1):77-80.
- Amari M, Brioschi FA, Auletta L, Ravasio G. Ultrasound-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation and Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment for Chronic Lameness Due to Distal Forelimb Disease in Horses: A Pilot Study. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 10;15(16).
- Amari M, Rabbogliatti V, Ravasio G, Auletta L, Brioschi FA, Riccaboni P, Dell'Aere S, Roccabianca P. Development of an ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation technique in the equine cadaveric distal limb: histological findings and potential for treating chronic lameness. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1437989.
- De Schryver M, Oosterlinck M. An Explorative Anatomical Study on Inter-Individual Variation of the Tibial Nerve and Landmarks for Perineural Anesthesia in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jul 24;14(15).
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