MRI, CT, PET, AND BONE SCANS FOR HORSES
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
The MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to generate images of organs, soft tissue, tendons and bones. During the MRI, the horse spends a considerable amount of time in a noisy magnetic tube.
-The high field MRI
This is done under general anesthesia, using a human MRI. The hock, knee(carpus), fetlock, and head (parts that can fit into the machine) can be imaged showing details of soft tissue and bone.
-The low MRI
With the horse standing under sedation, the low MRI uses a small tube that surrounds the lower limbs. It provides detailed images of soft tissue and bone of the foot, pastern, and fetlock. It identifies tendon and ligament inflammation and injuries, arthritis, degenerative diseases of joints, fractures, inflammation of the joints and synovial structures.
BONE SCAN
After a horse is injected with a radioactive nucleotide, a special gamma camera is used to scan the legs to detect the gamma rays. The radio isotope is absorbed in increased amounts in areas of the body/bone that is stressed or repairing itself and undergoing remodeling process from injury. The isotope shows up as a hot spot on the gamma camera. The horse is kept for 2 days after the scan so that all of the radioactive marker has decayed (gone away).
CT SCAN (Computed Tomography)
This is a 3-dimensional X-Ray exam. The X-Ray beam makes a circle around a certain part of the body, then generates a 3D image. It provides more information and greater detailed images than X-Rays. Now, CT Scanners have been developed to do a horse’s leg while the horse is standing with sedation. CT scans of the horse’s head and neck require that the horse be put under general anesthesia. A CT scan of the horse’s skull can show sinus infections, fractures of the skull or facial bones, teeth problems, inner ear, soft tissue problems and tumors. A CT scan of the neck can assist in diagnosing neurologic problems such as Wobbler (which is a narrowing of the cervical vertebra impinging on the spinal cord), neck arthritis, and neck fractures. Orthopedic CT scans have enabled veterinarians to take images of previously inaccessible body parts such as elbow, back and pelvis. The new standing CT scanners allow vets to visualize and diagnose subtle bone injuries of the lower leg such as bone bruising or hairline fractures that are not detectable by regular X-rays. This is huge. A horse could be scanned to identify horses at risk and detect for early signs of injury to bones. This knowledge can prevent catastrophic injury, especially in race/performance horses.
PET SCAN (Positron Emission Tomography)
PET is an emerging technology for horses also. The horse is injected with a solution of radiographic tracers that localize in the area of bone remodeling which shows up on the image. It provides information about the location of active injuries, but not in detail. A CT scan is done to identify the problem and exact location. The PET and CT scan can find a bone problem early, before it is detectable by X-ray, therefore reducing injury rates.
LOCATIONS PROVIDING THESE DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES:
Mid-South Equine, Tioga, TX
Animal Imaging, Irving, TX
Equine Sports Medicine Surgery, Weatherford, TX
At Hayes Equine, we have a portable digital X-ray machine that can take detailed X-rays of your horse’s legs and feet. The images are displayed on the computer screen seconds after the X-ray is taken.
CASTRATION SIGNS: April 29- May 3.
KENTUCKY DERBY
This year’s derby is Saturday, May 4th. You can watch it on NBC channel 10 and Peacock. Post time is 5:57 pm. My pick is Fierceness, followed by Sierra Leone, then Mystik Dan.
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