CT Scans Provide Valuable Information for Evaluating Head Injuries in Horses – Horse Racing News

The information provided by CT imaging can be extremely valuable to veterinarians trying to diagnose equine diseases, especially in horses with head problems.

The anatomical information provided by a CT scan can help veterinarians identify many problems, including subtle lesions that are often difficult to diagnose by x-ray.

Dr. Susanne Stieger-Vanegas of Oregon State University’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. Ashley Hanna of Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine have reported that diseases affecting the head are quite common. The equine head is a complex structure both anatomically and spatially; CT and MRI are useful for eliminating overlapping images of anatomical structures.

CT scans are particularly useful for evaluating bones and air-filled structures. They have proven extremely useful in the evaluation of sinuses, ear and dental problems, and head trauma.

Additionally, the use of contrast with a CT scan allows veterinarians to determine tissue viability and vascular anatomy. CT scans can also help rule out masses found in the head.

The duo conclude that the use of CT scans in horses may eliminate the need for other diagnostic imaging to assess head problems and that the modality is becoming more widely available.

Read the article here.

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