Use of ultrasonography for the detection of aortic-iliac thrombosis in horses.

The research investigated the effectiveness of using ultrasonography to detect aortic-iliac thrombosis in horses presenting with exercise intolerance or hindlimb lameness.

Research Context

• The research aimed to highlight the importance and effectiveness of two-dimensional ultrasonography in diagnosing aortic-iliac thrombosis in horses.
• Aortic-iliac thrombosis refers to a blood clot forming in the iliac arteries and the terminal part of the aorta (the large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body) in horses.
• This condition often manifests as exercise intolerance or hindlimb lameness in horses.

Methodology

• The study examined 18 horses that showed signs of exercise intolerance or hindlimb lameness.
• All horses underwent a two-dimensional ultrasonographic evaluation of their iliac arteries and the terminal portion of the aorta.
• The examination aimed to image any plaque or thrombus present in these vessels.

Findings

• The results of the study showed that a plaque or thrombus was found in one or more of these vessels in 5 out of the 18 horses.
• The study also revealed that in 2 of these horses, the initial rectal examination findings were normal, which implies that the thrombus could have been missed without the use of diagnostic ultrasonography.

Conclusion

• The study concludes that two-dimensional ultrasonography is an effective tool in detecting aortic-iliac thrombosis in horses, particularly in instances where normal rectal examinations do not reveal the presence of the thrombus.
• The study makes clear that reliance on regular examination techniques may lead to missed diagnoses and inaccurate assessments of the health conditions of horses, underscoring the value of advanced diagnostic tools like ultrasonography.