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Sagittal histological sections of the SIJ stained with Giemsa stain. (A) histological section with low magnification shows the presence of hyaline cartilage in both the sacral (S) and iliac (I) articular cartilage. The arrow depicts the transition between hyaline and fibrocartilage in the iliac articular cartilage, which was frequently seen in the center of the iliac articular cartilage. (B) a histological section in middle magnification through the iliac (I) and sacral (S) articular surface showing several of the commonly observed histological signs of articular cartilage changes. The white arrow shows a clustering of chondrocytes without concurrent hypertrophy. The arrowhead depicts clustering of chondrocytes with hypertrophy, and the black arrows show pyknotic nuclei visible within the iliac articular cartilage. (C) histological section at the sacral (S) joint surface in low magnification, showing a subchondral cyst-like lesion in the subchondral bone. The white arrow marks the associated subchondral bone sclerosis. The arrowheads indicate a focal replacement of the hyaline cartilage normally present at this site with fibrocartilage. (D) sagittal histological section stained with Giemsa stain in low magnification. Indentation within the sacral (S) subchondral bone with focal replacement of hyaline cartilage with fibrocartilage (arrow) and clustering of chondrocytes without hypertrophy (arrowhead).

CT detected SIJ lesions in all horses, outperforming ultrasound and aligning with histology. It offers superior sensitivity and should be considered the preferred modality for equine SIJ evaluation.

Dual-Energy Computed Tomography for the Detection of Bone Edema-Like Lesions in the Equine Foot: Standing Horses and Cadaveric Specimens

DECT reliably detects moderate to severe bone edema in equine feet, with 78.9% MRI agreement. Mild BME and sclerosis may limit accuracy, but standing imaging remains feasible and diagnostic.

Equine Standing Multidetector Computed Tomography of the Distal Thoracic Limb and Tarsus Has a Lower Cumulative Radiation Dose than Digital Radiography

Equine Standing Multidetector Computed Tomography of the Distal Thoracic Limb and Tarsus Has a Lower Cumulative Radiation Dose than Digital Radiography

CT provided reliable, detailed hoof measurements in sound sport horses. It outperformed other imaging by detecting subtle asymmetries and offered repeatable, precise data—supporting its clinical value.

CT imaging provided detailed analysis of thoracolumbar biomechanics in horses. Spondylosis and ORSPs restrict ROM, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and targeted rehabilitation.

CT-guided study shows ostectomy improves flexibility and range of motion in equine spines, while desmotomy has minimal effects. CT enhances precision in evaluating and refining surgical techniques.

CT precisely evaluates equine thoracolumbar biomechanics, identifying ROM variability, subtle pathologies like spondylosis/ORSPs, and their severe impact, aiding tailored rehabilitation strategies.

Standing CBCT is feasible for equine extremities, confirming diagnoses in 73%, detecting new findings in 89% of pre-diagnosed cases. Contrast studies enhance detail. Fast, accurate, and anesthesia-free.

CBCT and FBCT provide comparable bone image quality, but FBCT is superior for soft tissue. CBCT enables rapid volumetric imaging, making it a viable option for equine joint diagnostics when FBCT is unavailable.

Standing CT revolutionizes equine diagnostics, enabling high-resolution imaging of limbs, head, and spine without anesthesia. Faster, safer exams improve orthopedic care and early pathology detection.

Standing CT revolutionizes equine imaging, enabling detailed diagnostics without anesthesia. Improved bone, cartilage, and soft tissue evaluation enhances early injury detection and sport horse care.

Dual-Energy CT improves tissue characterization, reduces artifacts, and enhances lesion detection. It optimizes contrast use, lowers radiation exposure, and aids in diagnosing various conditions across specialties.

SEMAR outperforms VM DECT in reducing metal artifacts in equine CT. Helical + SEMAR and Volume + SEMAR are most effective. VM DECT at 135 keV performs moderately. SEMAR should be prioritized for accuracy.

DECT VNCa effectively detects bone marrow edema (BME) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), offering a fast, reliable alternative to MRI. It shows high sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy.

Single-source dual-energy computed tomography detects bone marrow oedema in vertebral fractures with 72% sensitivity, 70% specificity, and faster imaging but requires trained readers for accuracy.

VNCa CT enhances detection of bone marrow edema, subtle fractures, and degenerative or infiltrative diseases, offering a faster, cost-effective MRI alternative for trauma, inflammation, and oncology cases.

CT and MRI revealed adaptive densification and subclinical lesions in fetlocks of non-lame showjumper. CT’s superior sensitivity aids early detection of changes, enhancing equine sports medicine diagnostics.

Contrast-enhanced CT detected navicular disease (64%), deep digital flexor tendinopathy (35%) in horse feet. CT offers detailed diagnostics for bone and soft tissue pathologies.

Fan-beam CT detected clinically significant subchondral lesions missed by MRI, proving more sensitive and essential for diagnosing fetlock pain and guiding treatment in sport horses.

CT imaging assessed needle placement for palmar digital nerve blocks, showing rare synovial penetration (3%). Distal placements increased risk; CT improves precision and safety in equine nerve blocks.

CT identified osseous lesions like abrasions and mineralization, while MRI excelled in soft tissue lesions. Contrast-enhanced CT improved vascular structure detection, highlighting modality complementarity.

Computed tomography provides superior visualization of bone structures such as phalanges and navicular bone, along with broader anatomical detail, excelling at the pastern level for multifocal lesions.

CT imaging provided detailed analysis of thoracolumbar biomechanics in horses. Spondylosis and ORSPs restrict ROM, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and targeted rehabilitation.

Endoscopic foraminotomy successfully treated cervical nerve compression in horses. CT imaging guided precise surgery, leading to long-term recovery. Further research is needed for broader use.

CT imaging identified an elongated, coiling ICA causing cranial nerve compression in a horse with dysphagia. Surgical balloon occlusion relieved symptoms, leading to full recovery in 7 weeks.

CT-guided study shows ostectomy improves flexibility and range of motion in equine spines, while desmotomy has minimal effects. CT enhances precision in evaluating and refining surgical techniques.

CT-guided diagnosis and surgical fusion of C7-T1 discospondylitis restored stability and mobility in a horse, showcasing CT’s precision for spinal conditions and improving outcomes in severe cases.

CT precisely evaluates equine thoracolumbar biomechanics, identifying ROM variability, subtle pathologies like spondylosis/ORSPs, and their severe impact, aiding tailored rehabilitation strategies.

CT contrast tenography provides superior diagnostic accuracy for MF tears, surpassing tenoscopy in severe cases. Ultrasonography remains practical, MRI offers detail but is costly, and tenoscopy is essential.

CT revealed a well-encapsulated mass with precise visualization of bone changes and calcifications, outperforming MRI. It’s essential for diagnosing rare equine foot lesions and guiding treatment.

CTA offers superior precision, high sensitivity (82%) and specificity (96%), making it ideal for detecting equine cartilage defects. Its efficiency and reliability enable early intervention and better outcomes.

Fan-beam CT detected clinically significant subchondral lesion missed by MRI, proving more sensitive and essential for diagnosing fetlock pain and guiding treatment in sport horses.

CT with contrast enhancement effectively visualizes the DDFT and palmar veins in horses. Optimized CM concentration, injection rate, and scan parameters improve diagnostic accuracy, supporting CT as a practical alternative to MRI.

CT identified the largest lesions, detecting scar tissue and aggrecan-linked suboptimal healing. MRI revealed chronic remodeling, while US underestimates lesion size. CT was most precise over time.

CBCT and FBCT provide comparable bone image quality, but FBCT is superior for soft tissue. CBCT enables rapid volumetric imaging, making it a viable option for equine joint diagnostics when FBCT is unavailable.

CT and MRI revealed adaptive densification and subclinical lesions in fetlocks of non-lame showjumper. CT’s superior sensitivity aids early detection of changes, enhancing equine sports medicine diagnostics.

CT outperforms radiography by avoiding superimposition, enabling precise detection of bone lesions and density changes in Thoroughbred yearlings, offering unmatched clarity in fetlock joint assessment.

Contrast-enhanced CT outperformed other methods in identifying CFTS anatomy, revealing new structures and greater sheath extent, making it the superior tool for diagnosis and surgical planning.

CBCT accurately identified fetlock pathology, aligning with FBCT. Early detection aids intervention, reducing injury risk. Standing CBCT is a safe, anesthesia-free option for equine diagnostics.

Standing multi-slice helical CT enables safe, high-quality imaging of equine distal limbs without anesthesia, improving diagnosis of lameness and joint conditions while reducing risks of motion artefacts.

CT reliably measures cervicothoracic intervertebral foramina (IF) in horses. Larger articular processes reduce IF size. 38.1% showed narrowing, mainly at C5-T1. CT aids diagnosis of equine neck pain and lameness.

Contrast-enhanced CT detected navicular disease (64%), deep digital flexor tendinopathy (43%), and osteoarthritis (35%) in horse feet. CT offers detailed diagnostics for bone and soft tissue pathologies.

CBCT and MDCT are effective for imaging equine fetlock osseous structures, with MDCT superior for soft tissues. CBCT offers mobility and cost-efficiency but is limited by motion artifacts and soft tissue contrast.

CT imaging revealed transverse navicular fractures with significant displacement, intra-articular fragments, and soft tissue lesions. Conservative treatment yielded partial healing and pasture soundness.

CT reliably detects proximal suspensory desmitis (PSD) in horses, identifying ligament enlargement, mineralization, and osseous changes. It offers a practical alternative to MRI for PSD diagnosis.

CT imaging delivers unmatched precision in detecting bone adaptations, exercise-driven changes, and subchondral disease, advancing diagnostics and equine orthopedic research significantly.

CT imaging of the sagittal ridge in young Thoroughbred racehorses revealed adaptive bone remodeling and dynamic lesion changes during early training, highlighting CT’s precision and value in monitoring fetlock health.

CT imaging detects subocclusal lesions in 72% of infundibulae without caries, mainly cemental hypoplasia. Shorter and rostral infundibulae are more vulnerable. MicroCT confirms findings, enhancing visualization.

Warmblood yearling presented with an injury at the left tarsal joint. (Bone Window, Sagittal Plane)

Bone window, frontal: new bone formation and lytic lesions in talus and central tarsal bone

Bone window, transverse: new bone formation and lytic lesions in talus and central tarsal bone

Soft tissue window, frontal: severe desmopathy and enthesopathy of the medial collateral ligament

Soft tissue window, sagittal: severe enthesopathy of the pars tibiocalcanea of the medial collateral ligament

Diagnosis

Massive traumatic bone lesions in the left talocrural joint with lytic lesion in the adjacent joint surfaces.

In addition, however, there is severe desmopathy and enthesopathy of the medial collateral ligament. The CT images show severe longitudinal tears and fibrillations in both the long and short parts of this ligament. The short part (pars tibiocalcanea) is partially ruptured.

The 3D reconstruction shows a cartilage lesion progressing toward osteoarthritis of the elbow joint.

Severe subchondral lytic bone lesion in proximo-medial radius surrounded by severe sclerosis

Isolated small bone fragment and cyst-like bone lesions in palmar aspect of elbow joint

Periosteal bone formation proximal radial bone

Diagnosis

Chronic osteoarthritis of the right elbow joint and destructive bone reactions with a small bone fragment related to the syndesmosis of the radius and ulna.

3D reconstruction of the cervical spine in a horse with mild, inconsistent bilateral forelimb lameness of unclear origin.

Bone window, sagittal image: discopathy with mineralization and protrusion of the intervertebral disc between C4/C5

Soft tissue window, sagittal image: discopathy with mineralization and protrusion of the intervertebral disc between C4/C5

Bone window, axial image at the level of C2/3

Bone window, coronal image at the level of the cranial neck

Bone window, sagittal image: arthropathy of the left facet joint with a isolated bone fragment C2/C3

Diagnosis

The CT images describe an arthropathy of the left facet joint between C2 and 3 which is related to an isolated bone fragment at the left cranial articular process of C3. Arthroscopic removal of such fragments has been described recently. Just like the easily recognizable discopathy, the evaluation of the clinical significance of these findings is difficult. However, these changes are frequently found in so-called “poor performance” cases.

10 yo showjumper, 2/5 left front lameness straight line, 3/5 on left circle, mild improvement after DIP joint block, positive abaxial nerve block

Bone window, axial: contrast medium in the lesions of the collateral ligament lesion of the DIP joint

Soft tissue window, frontal: contrast medium in a longitudinal split lesion of the medial collateral ligament of the DIP joint.

Diagnosis

CT images present a desmopathy of the medial collateral ligament of the DIP joint

The lesion can already be clearly seen on the soft tissue images without contrast.

Intra-articular application of contrast agent improves visualization and may be helpful in smaller lesions.

Bone window, sagittal image, irregular palmar contour MC III, mineralization HSL

Soft tissue window– transversal – comparison left right front– severe core lesion and hypertrophy left high suspensory ligament

Soft tissue window – transversal – hypertrophy and mineralization left HSL

Soft tissue window, sagittal image, core lesion, hypertrophy and mineralization HSL

Diagnosis

Chronic enthesopathy and desmopathy in the origin of the high suspensory ligament with obvious sclerotic and lytic and proliferative reactions of the third metacarpal bone. Severe core lesion in the HSL with chronic mineralization.

Bone window, transverse image, tooth 109, buccal wall discontinuity, gas inclusions, periodontal changes

Bone window, sagittal image, tooth 109, abnormal pulp horns, occlusal fissure, apical infection

Bone window, coronal image, apical infection tooth 109, buccal wall discontinuity, gas inclusions, sinus involvement

Oral endoscopy, tooth 109, abnormal pulp horn, occlusal fissure

Radiograph, lateral view, tooth 109, buccal root shortening, irregular structure, alveolar sclerosis

Diagnosis

Apical infection of tooth 109 with secondary sinusitis.

Radiographs showed abnormal pulp horns, an occlusal fissure, root shortening, and alveolar sclerosis, while CT revealed mucosal thickening in the maxillary sinuses, buccal wall discontinuity, and gas inclusions in the periodontal space and pulp chamber.

Fetlock joint, sagittal slice of a contrast study in the bone window – The contrast agent is embedded in the cartilage lesions. In this case there are both partial thickness and full-thickness-lesions

Fetlock joint, coronal slice of a contrast study in the bone window – CT arthrography (standing) of the non weight bearing limbs enables separation of both articular surfaces and shows multiple lesions of varying depth. Diagnosis of an osteoarthritis in the fetlock

Hoof, coronal slice of a contrast study in the bone window – At the level of the navicular bone an insertional tendinopathy in the medial branch of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) can be detected

Hoof, coronal slice in bone window: contrast medium within a lesion of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) at its insertion on the distal phalanx (P3).

Hoof, coronal slice of a native scan in the soft tissue window: Insertional tendinopathy of the medial branch of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT)

Hoof, axial slice in the soft tissue window: Dorsal border split in the medial branch of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) at the level of the flexor surface of the navicular bone

Hoof, transverse slice of a native scan in the soft tissue window: Multiple longitudinal lesions in both branches of the DDFT at the level of the navicular bone with contrast accumulation, accompanied by a cortical defect on the palmar flexor surface of the navicular bone

Qalibra Tutorial: Fracture Repair

Equine Standing CT of head & neck

Neck CT & Myelography

CT-guided surgery

Pelvis CT (done under anesthesia)

Small Animal CT

Stifle CT (done under anesthesia)

Equine Standing CT of the hindlimb

Equine Standing CT of forelimb

Qalibra CT: The all-in-one-CT with...