Figure 7. Limb positioning under general anaesthesia for a contrast computed tomography arteriogram of the distal limb (courtesy of Dr Mads Kristoffersen, Helsinborg Equine Hospital, Sweden).

Imaging modalities for the equine distal limb

There are many computed tomography machines available from companies such as Siemens, Philips and Canon that have been adapted from use in humans for use in horses. These machines tend to be fan beam...

Figure 1. Laterolateral radiographs of the normal cervical spine. A; cranial, B; mid, C; caudal neck.

Imaging the equine neck

Common modalities for imaging of the neck include:.

Figure 1. Arthrography of the standing equine fetlock joint

Advanced equine diagnostics – developments in computed tomography

CT imaging is built up of three main components; the patient couch, x-ray tube and the detectors, which rotate inside the gantry around the patient, acquiring and collecting attenuation data. The...

Figure 1. Photograph (cranial-caudal) of a transverse sacropelvic anatomic section showing the right sacroiliac joint. Ultrasound-guided sacroiliac joint region injection was performed with methylene blue before dissection. Note the interosseous sacroiliac ligament (*) with some methylene blue staining, the ventral sacroiliac ligament (arrowhead) and the sacroiliac joint where the hyaline cartilage of the sacrum is stained with methylene blue. I=ilium; S=sacrum.

Diagnosis and treatment of sacroiliac joint region pain in horses

Sacroiliac joints are atypical diarthrodial joints, forming the articulation between the ventral aspect of the ilium and the sacral wing (Figure 1). The sacroiliac joint is angled at approximately 30°...

Figure 1. Transverse computed tomography image of a horse with left-sided septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint. There is a narrowed joint space (yellow arrow), irregular joint surface, moth-eaten appearance of the subchondral bone of the mandibular condyle and the temporal bone (yellow arrowhead). Mild periosteal reaction is visible at the ventral margin of the left mandibular condyle and the dorsal aspect of the temporal bone (red arrow).

CPD article: Arthropathy of the temporomandibular joint: a diagnostic challenge

The equine temporomandibular joint is a synovial incongruent condylar articulation of the zygomatic process of the squamous temporal bone and the condylar process of the mandible. A biconcave,...