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Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association2022; 63(4); 469-477; doi: 10.1111/vru.13078

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.
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Publication Date: 2022-02-21 PubMed ID: 35188701DOI: 10.1111/vru.13078Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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

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: 63
Issue: 4
Pages: 469-477

Researcher Affiliations

Spriet, Mathieu
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.
Edwards, Lisa
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.
Arndt, Stefanie
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.
Wilson, Sabrina S
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.
Galuppo, Larry D
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.
Stepanov, Pavel
  • LONGMILE Veterinary Imaging, A Division of Brain Biosciences Inc., Rockville, Maryland, USA.
Beylin, David
  • 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
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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. 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).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14172499pubmed: 39272284google scholar: lookup
  2. 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.
    doi: 10.2967/jnumed.122.265309pubmed: 38124218google scholar: lookup
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