Validation of a dedicated positron emission tomography scanner for imaging of the distal limb of standing horses.
Abstract: A positron emission tomography (PET) scanner, with an openable ring of detectors, was specifically designed to image the distal limb of standing horses. The goals of this prospective, preclinical, experimental, methods comparison study were to validate the safety of the scanner, assess image quality, and optimize scanning protocols. Six research horses were imaged three times (twice standing, once anesthetized) and six horses in active race training were imaged once under standing sedation. Multiple scans of both front fetlocks were obtained with different scan durations and axial fields of view. A total of 94 fetlock scans were attempted and 90 provided images of diagnostic value. Radiotracer uptake was the main factor affecting image quality, while motion did not represent a major issue. Scan duration and field of view also affected image quality. Eight specific lesions were identified on PET images from anesthetized horses and were all also independently recognized on the PET images obtained on standing horses. Maximal standardized uptake values (SUVmax) had good repeatability for the assessment of specific lesions among different scans. Three feet and six carpi were also successfully imaged. This study validated the safety and practicality of a PET scanner specifically designed to image the distal limb in standing horses. Proper preparation of horses, similar to bone scintigraphy, is important for image quality. A 4-min scan with 12 cm field of view was considered optimal for clinical fetlock imaging. Evaluation of a larger clinical population is the next step for further assessment of the clinical utility of PET imaging in horses.
© 2022 American College of Veterinary Radiology.
Publication Date: 2022-02-21 PubMed ID: 35188701DOI: 10.1111/vru.13078Google 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
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 research article discusses the validation of a specially designed positron emission tomography (PET) scanner for imaging the distal limb (lower leg) of standing horses. This scanner was tested for safety, image quality, and optimal scanning protocols.
Detailed Explanation
The study involved an experimental investigation, using a prospective and preclinical approach. It was aimed at validating a PET scanner developed specifically for examining a horse’s lower leg while standing. The investigation addressed several aspects:
- The safety of using this scanner on horses
- Assessing the quality of images it can produce
- Determining the most effective scanning protocols for optimal results
Study Participants
The study comprised two sets of participants:
- Six research horses that were scanned three times – twice while standing and once when anesthetized
- Six other horses, currently in active race training, were each scanned once, while under standing sedation
Data Collection and Results
Researchers conducted multiple scans of both front fetlocks (ankle area) of the horses, varying scan durations and axial fields of view. A total of 94 scans were attempted, and 90 were found to provide diagnostically valuable images.
Key Findings
The primary findings of the study involved several factors:
- Radiotracer uptake was the main factor affecting image quality. The radiotracer is a special kind of dye that the scanner detects to create an image.
- Motion in the scanned horse was not a major issue affecting image quality – an important point considering the standing state of the horse during scanning.
- Scan duration and the field of view also played a role in the quality of the final image.
- Eight specific lesions were detected via scanning on anesthetized horses, all of which were also observed in the scans obtained from standing horses.
- Maximal standardized uptake values (SUVmax), which represent the rate at which the radiotracer is absorbed, showed good repeatability for assessment of specific lesions across different scans.
- There were also successful scans of three feet and six ‘carpi’ (wrists) of horses.
Conclusion and Further Steps
The study concluded that the PET scanner designed for standing horse distal limb imaging has been validated for safety and practicality. Preparation of horses, similar to that for bone scintigraphy (another imaging technique), was useful for obtaining quality images.
A 4-minute scan with a 12 cm field of view was deemed optimal for clinical fetlock imaging. More research on a larger clinical population of horses is needed to further assess the clinical utility of PET imaging in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Spriet M, Edwards L, Arndt S, Wilson SS, Galuppo LD, Stepanov P, Beylin D.
(2022).
Validation of a dedicated positron emission tomography scanner for imaging of the distal limb of standing horses.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 63(4), 469-477.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.13078 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.
- LONGMILE Veterinary Imaging, A Division of Brain Biosciences Inc., Rockville, Maryland, USA.
- LONGMILE Veterinary Imaging, A Division of Brain Biosciences Inc., Rockville, Maryland, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Joints
- Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
- Positron-Emission Tomography / veterinary
- Prospective Studies
- Radionuclide Imaging
Grant Funding
- Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation
- Dolly Green Research Foundation
References
This article includes 18 references
- Spriet M, Espinosa P, Kyme AZ. (18) F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography of the equine distal limb: exploratory study in three horses.. Equine Vet J 2018; 50:125-132.
- Spriet M, Espinosa P, Kyme AZ. Positron emission tomography of the equine distal limb: exploratory study.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2016; 57:630-638.
- Fischer DR, Maquieira GJ, Espinosa N. Therapeutic impact of [(18)F]fluoride positron-emission tomography/computed tomography on patients with unclear foot pain.. Skeletal Radiol 2010; 39:987-997.
- Jadvar H, Desai B, Conti PS. Sodium 18F-fluoride PET/CT of bone, joint, and other disorders.. Semin Nucl Med 2015; 45:58-65.
- Rauscher I, Beer AJ, Schaeffeler C. Evaluation of 18F-fluoride PET/MR and PET/CT in patients with foot pain of unclear cause.. Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine 2015; 56:430-435.
- Crönlein M, Rauscher I, Beer AJ. Visualization of stress fractures of the foot using PET-MRI: a feasibility study.. Eur J Med Res 2015; 20:99.
- Kogan F, Broski SM, Yoon D, Gold GE. Applications of PET-MRI in musculoskeletal disease.. J Magn Reson Imaging 2018; 48:27-47.
- Kogan F, Fan AP, McWalter EJ, Oei EHG, Quon A, Gold GE. PET/MRI of metabolic activity in osteoarthritis: a feasibility study.. J Magn Reson Imaging 2017; 45:1736-1745.
- Yoder JS, Kogan F, Gold GE. Applications of PET-computed tomography-magnetic resonance in the management of benign musculoskeletal disorders.. PET Clin 2019; 14:1-15.
- Yoon D, Kogan F, Gold GE, Biswal S. Identifying musculoskeletal pain generators using clinical PET.. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2020; 24:441-450.
- Spriet M, Espinosa-Mur P, Cissell DD. (18) F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography of the racing Thoroughbred fetlock: validation and comparison with other imaging modalities in nine horses.. Equine Vet J 2019; 51:375-383.
- Colgate VA, Group F, Marr CM. Science-in-brief: risk assessment for reducing injuries of the fetlock bones in Thoroughbred racehorses.. Equine Vet J 2020; 52:482-488.
- Norvall A, Spriet M, Espinosa P. Chondrosesamoidean ligament enthesopathy: prevalence and findings in a population of lame horses imaged with positron emission tomography.. Equine Vet J 2021; 53:451-459.
- Wilson S, Spriet M, Mur PE. (18) Fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography for assessment of deep digital flexor tendinopathy: an exploratory study in eight horses with comparison to CT and MRI.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2021; in press.
- Spriet M, Stepanov P, Pye J, Nottle B, Anishchenko S, Beylin D. Validation of a scanner prototype for PET imaging of the foot in standing horses, abstract presented at the European Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging Congress, Basel, Switzerland.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2019; 61:112.
- Chapter DS. 6: patient preparation.. Equine Scintigraphy 2003;69-73.
- Ross MW, Stacy VS. Nuclear Medicine.. Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse 2003;198-215.
- Dyson S, Lakhani K, Wood J. Factors influencing blood flow in the equine digit and their effect on uptake of 99m technetium methylene diphosphonate into bone.. Equine Vet J 2001; 33:591-598.
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Spriet M, Vandenberghe F. Equine Nuclear Medicine in 2024: Use and Value of Scintigraphy and PET in Equine Lameness Diagnosis. Animals (Basel) 2024 Aug 28;14(17).
- Bartlett EA, Lesanpezeshki M, Anishchenko S, Shkolnik I, Ogden RT, Mann JJ, Beylin D, Miller JM, Zanderigo F. Dynamic Human Brain Imaging with a Portable PET Camera: Comparison to a Standard Scanner. J Nucl Med 2024 Feb 1;65(2):320-326.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
