Radiology of the hindlimbs and the back

Question 1

How do we take radiography of the hind pastern?

Answer 1

similar as how we view it in the forelimbs

Question 2

where is osteoarthritis more common?

Answer 2

proximal interphalangeal joint in the hindlimb

Question 3

what are the views of the hind fetlock?

Answer 3

standard views as for the front fetlock

LM, DPL, D45L - PIM oblique, Pl45L - DM oblique

Question 4

What can be seen in the metatarsal region?

Answer 4

pathy opacity

marked entheseous reaction

Question 5

Splint bones of the hind limbS?

Answer 5

they are susceptible to trauma, especially MTIV

Question 6

What is sequestrum?

Answer 6

a piece of devitalised, dead bone, separated from thesurrounding bone due to necrosis

Question 7

how does sequestrium look on the radiograph?

Answer 7

it has radioopacity within a lucent lesion, completely separated from the surrounding bone

Question 8

Common cuases to take radiograph of the hock

Answer 8

frequent cause of hindlimb lameness, osteoarthritis in the distal tarsal joints

susceptible to trauma: kick wounds, infectious arthritis

osteochondrosis dissecans

Question 9

what are the standard views of the hock?

Answer 9

LM
D45L-PIMO
PI45L-DMO
DPL

Question 10

What are the additional views of the hock?

Answer 10

flexed LM

skyline

Question 11

Osteochondrosis dissecans - normal locations

Answer 11

distal intermediate ridge of the tibia
Trochlear ridges of the talus ( lateral –> medial)
Medial malleolus

Question 12

What can a fracture of the malleolus origin from and what can it lead to?

Answer 12

traumatic origin –> ostechondrosis

Question 13

what are the indications to take a radiography of the stifle?

Answer 13

swelling
- joint distension without clinical significance is rare

lameness localised to the stifle joint

Question 14

which picture is best to take of the stifle?

Answer 14

LM
CauCr

flexed lateromedial
- some horses tolerate it better, easier to access the proximal aspect of the trochlear ridges

skyline

Question 15

what formations can be seen in the femur

Answer 15

osteochondrosis dissecans

osteoarthritis

calcinosis circumscripta

Question 16

Indications to take picture of the pelvis

Answer 16

suspected fracture of the ischium
coxofemoral joint
- diagnostic analgesia
- clinical signs

Question 17

Indications to take a radiography of the back

Answer 17

back pain - often secondary to lameness, ill fitting saddle etc
poor performance
dangerous behaviour
Diagnostic analgesia

Question 18

What is to be considered when taking a radiograph of the back?

Answer 18

great and variable tissue thickness
powerful - xray machine is required
portable machin - especially with DR system to take phots of the dorsal spinous processes

Question 19

radiation safety when taking picture of the back

Answer 19

High exposures
- casset should not be hand held
is it is possible, use the exposure button
comprenehsive ealuation - 9-11 images

Question 20

what should be included in a radiograph of the back?

Answer 20

dorsal spinous processes (DSP’s) - laterolateral images

vertebral bodies (laterolateral images)

articular process (facet) joints (APJ’s) ventral to dorsal oblique views

Question 21

What is impinging dorsal spinous processes

Answer 21

Could be seen in horses without back pain
diagnostic analgesia crucial to establish significance
the more severe changes the greater number of DSP’s involved, the more likely to be significant

Question 22

Why take radiograp of the vertebral bodies?

Answer 22

Could be spondolysis