Diagnostic Services at Equine Specialty Hospital

MRI - MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) utilizes magnetic fields and pulses of radio frequencies to generate highly detailed images of bone and soft tissues. Although the technology has been present for some time (like the CAT Scan) the introduction of MRI to equine medicine and surgery has only recently been observed. As a result, imaging modalities available for the horse are vast and encompass a broad range of technologies.

Unlike Nuclear Scintigraphy and CT scans that can rapidly scan large areas, MRI is best utilized when the abnormalities can already be narrowed down to a specific region. For example, the left front fetlock or right carpus. This is best accomplished by a detailed physical examination and good history combined with diagnostic nerve blocks. If radiographs and ultrasounds then identify a problem this area may then be treated appropriately however if they fail to identify the specific cause for lameness an MR is the most specific diagnostic test that can be conducted.With the addition of MRI, the Equine Specialty Hospital is now positioned as one of the most highly advanced equine hospitals in the country. MRI is ideal for horses with difficult to diagnose lamenesses and or when radiographs, nerve blocks, ultrasound and nuclear scintigraphy have not been able to pinpoint the lameness.

DIGITAL ULTRASOUND

The Toshiba Nemio delivers unprecedented soft tissue digital images. With scan heads as low as 2.5 mHz and as high as 14 mHz we are now able to scan deep tissues such as the abdomen and also superficial tissues such as flexor tendons with great detail. With color doppler, the Nemio also provides exceptional imaging of the heart and circulatory systems.

CT SCAN

The CT scanner provides the clearest images possible of the limbs, joints, nasal passages, skull, sinus cavities and neck. These images, greatly improve our ability to accurately define and identify the extent of abnormalities of these regions and significantly assist us in the management of complex lamenesses, fractures, as well as sinus and dental problems.

NUCLEAR SCINTIGRAPHY

The Nuclear Scintigraphy Suite at the Equine Specialty Hospital employs the Equistand Nuclear Scintigraphy System. This state-of-the-art equine imaging system consists of a NuCam Veterinary Gamma Camera with a 20 x 14.5 inch rectangular field of view, and the Equistand II Detector Positioning System for positioning the gamma camera from below floor level to 76 inches above the floor. Nuclear Scintigraphy is ideally suited for horses that have difficult to diagnose back or pelvic pain, lameness in one limb or lameness is in multiple sites of one limb. By identifying areas of inflammation, the scan fine tunes our ability to prioritize problem areas and fine tune our diagnostics and treatment options.

GASTROSCOPY

Gastroscopy is the evaluation of the horse’s stomach, an important component of the evaluation of cases of colic, weight loss, inappetance, and “poor-doers”. Many equine practitioners have 1-meter endoscopes – flexible fiber-optic light devices that allow visualization of the upper airway, but these endoscopes are not long enough to allow visualization of the adult equine stomach. The Equine Specialty Hospital uses a 3 Meter Olympus gastroscope that provides excellent visualization of the stomach. Endoscopic images can then be documented on a digital printer for future review and archiving.

DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY

Digital Radiography has revolutionized the way radiographs (x-rays) are taken, edited and interpreted. Compared to traditional radiographs, there is no film or developing required. Although positioning is still very important, the days of over- and under- exposure are over. Adjustments can easily be made to identify subtle details of soft tissue and bone in the same image. They may also be transmitted electronically anywhere in the world, shared with your veterinarian or specialist, or even taken home for review on a compact disc with no additional software required. Digital Radiography allows the veterinarian to review radiographs with such detail that even the most subtle of lesions are visible.

Digital Radiographs are taken with the same conventional x-ray machines that you may be familiar with. The difference is in the plate and processing. Traditional radiographs captured the x-rays on film that was developed similar to camera film. Digital radiography captures the image on a digital or phosphorus plate. The digital plates transfer the image to a computer. Phosphorus plates are passed through a reader and then transferred to a computer. Once in the computer, the images are saved as originally taken and can be adjusted for contrast and size. Images can be cropped, focused, edited, labeled and adjusted for detailed evaluation of soft tissue and bone.

The Equine Specialty Hospital utilizes both Direct Radiography (DR) and Computed Radiography (CR) digital radiographic technologies to meet the special demands of the equine patient.

Advantages of Digital Radiography compared to traditional radiographs are numerous. The improvements in detail and quality are by far the most impressive, rendering traditional films obsolete. The ability for immediate electronic transferability, storage, and editing are revolutionary, making digital unmistakably the preferred method of radiography in the 21st century.