Equine radiology Flashcards
When do we use radiology in horses? (8+)
Lame horses
* Limbs
* Neck and back
* Pelvis
- In horses with chronic lung problems
- In horses with chronic diarrhea or colics
- Esophageal symptoms
- Horses with neurological deficits
- Teeth problems
- Sinus diseases
- Prepurchase examinations
- To evaluate the extent and nature of traumas
What should you do before radiology?
Always do clinical exam first!
Clinical findings for guiding radiography:
* Wounds
* Swelling
* Positive regional analgesia
Consider clinical significance (yes or no?)
Radiographic findings do not indicate pain!
Safety in equine radiology.
lead apron
xray proof glasses should be used more
lead hand covers
safety shoes (steel toe)
xray cassette holder
Describe sedation for xrays in horses.
Old and calm horses may manage without sedation but for safety and for most horses, sedation is needed.
Alpha-2 agonists such as:
- Xylazine
- Romifidine
- Detomidine
The horse can kick despite the sedation with alpha-2 agonists.
Opioids such as:
- Butorphanol (only in combination with alpha-2 agonists in adult horses)
Pay attention to the horses,
- Size
- Temperament
- Breed
when choosing which drugs you use. Some are far more sensitive and require way less.
How should you use butorphanol in horses?
only in combination with alpha-2 agonists in adult horses
e.g. butorphanol + detomidine combination
do NOT use butorphanol as a monotreatment.
Positioning horses for radiography - foot prep. (4)
- Ask permission to remove shoes. Removal needed e.g. to view navicular bone properly.
- Clean dirt from bottom and outside of hoof
- Lightly pare (trim) sole if necessary
- Pack frog sulci with soap or play-doh (it helps to get rid of artefacts)
Radiography markers in equine imaging.
Use positioning markers:
* LF, RF, LH, RH markers
* Can use coin or paper clip
Dorsal hoof wall markers:
* Wire
* Horse shoe nail
* Barium
Markers should always be placed dorsal or lateral to the anatomy. Always put your area of interest against your xray plate.
NB also need to add horse identification marker!
tube with contrast media inside, taped to the horses forehead
the level of fluid can be seen.
you can compare your control fluid line with potential fluid lines within the sinuses. (lower right xray with white arrow)
in hoof abscesses, the abscess itself cannot be seen but gas produced by bacteria can be seen such as in this image (3 dark bubbles)
the radiating tracks or lines are from removed shoe nails.
nodular lymph edema
pedal bone ventral rotation with sinking
Why should the soles be packed before radiography?
e.g. to avoid artefacts that may give you false diagnoses such as false fracture lines
When you have a traumatic nail in hoof situation, what should you not do?
Do not remove the nail immediately, because you will not be able to find the track without the nail in place.
Risk of deep digital flexor tendon and navicular bursa perforation and infection. Navicular bone can lyse due to the inflammation. This would be really bad.
In these images, the nail is only in the digital fat pad which has a better prognosis.
NB tetanus vax! If vax given > 6 months ago, give booster.
what is equine ringbone
is a degenerative condition affecting the pastern or coffin joints of horses. It is a form of osteoarthritis that results in the abnormal growth of bone around these joints. Ringbone is categorized as either high ringbone or low.
fetlock radiography
1 lateral of the metacarpophalangeal joint with proximal sesamoid is not enough because the sesamoid obscures the carpal bones.
you need a couple more oblique images.
tarsal OCD fragment
incomplete ossification in a young animal
splint bone fractures
Carpus:
A - Radius
I - Antebrachiocarpal joint
E - Accessory carpal bone
J - Middle carpal joint
G - Third carpal bone
K - Carpometacarpal joint
B - Third metacarpal bone
L - Second metacarpal bone
M - Fourth metacarpal bone
skyline view of the flexed carpus
dysmature foal with underdeveloped joints
needs casts/splinting, 24 hour care for 2 months
