Ultrasound
Diagnostic ultrasonography is a very useful imaging modality for assessing soft tissue structures such as tendons and ligaments. Damage to tendons and ligaments will be seen on ultrasound as changes to the fibre pattern and cross sectional area of the structure.
Ultrasound is also very useful as part of a comprehensive medical workup. For example, ultrasound is a good imaging modality to use to examine the surface of the lungs of adults and neonates. As an example, we would routinely use ultrasound in the workup of neonatal respiratory disease or adult travel sickness.
Accurate interpretation of ultrasonographic changes is dependent on the quality of the image and the experience of the veterinarian. To achieve the best possible diagnostic result, our clinic has the following aims for every ultrasound examination;
- To adequately prepare the area for examination. In the case of a tendon examination, this will involve clipping the area to be examined.
- To conduct a thorough and comprehensive study. In the case of a tendon examination, this will involve cross sectional and longitudinal images at 5cm intervals along the entire structure.
- To save images from every examination to enable comparisons and assessments at a later date.
- To either make a recommendation for treatment and management of the condition, or make a recommendation for further diagnostic imaging.
Each of our ambulatory veterinarians is equipped with a portable BCF ultrasound machine. BCF machines run on rechargeable lithium ion batteries thereby eliminating the need for an external power source.
The degree of portability and outstanding image quality afforded by these machines allows our veterinarians to effectively employ the use of ultrasound as a diagnostic imaging tool, anywhere, under any circumstances.
All our clients are provided written reports, containing copies of their horses' images upon request.
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Haematoma in the annular ligament (soft tissue structure around back of the fetlock) on the medial (inside) of a hind fetlock joint. Note the bunch of grapes appearance of the lesion. This soft tissue swelling was caused by trauma to the hind fetlock joint of a 6 year old Warmblood. This horse was very lame for a period of 10 days. We initially treated with the aim of reducing the inflammation in the area of the injury. Using serial ultrasound examinations to assess this lesion as it resolved, we were able to tailor an exercise program that allowed this horse to return to a reasonable level of work within 3 weeks. By following a controlled exercise program this owner was competing again within 8 weeks from the date of injury. |
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This is an ultrasound image of the contents of the scrotum of a 2 day old Warmblood colt. The structure we can see in the image is the small intestine within the scrotum. These segments of small intestine have herniated through the inguinal ring into the scrotum. In some foals, this will resolve without intervention. However, there is a risk that the bowel will become twisted. If this was the case, the foal would show signs of acute colic. This foal never showed signs of colic, but unfortunately the herniation did not resolve on its own and it was necessary to have the defect repaired surgically. This foal made a full and uneventful recovery from surgery. |
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This is an ultrasound image of a 4 year old TB racehorse who presented with swelling in the region of the medial (inside) branch of the suspensory ligament. The suspensory branch is the large circular structure seen to the right of the image. Within the large circular area, is a darker circular area. This is what we as veterinarians describe as a core lesion. This is the injured part of the suspensory branch. Injuries to the ligaments and tendons show up on ultrasound as a darker area within a structure. This is due to loss of fibres in this area. |
