No abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the blood flow in the carotid artery during halothane anaesthesia by means of duplex-sonography. Seventeen warm blood horses were evaluated in dorsal and lateral recumbency and the results were compared with the values of the same horses resting and under sedation. The cross sectional area of the vessels, the time-averaged maximal blood velocity, time-averaged maximal blood flow and the resistance index were determined and the flow profile was evaluated. During halothane anesthesia the total blood flow shows a significant increase which is not dependent on the positioning of the horse. Mean blood velocity is decreased by sedation and significantly increased during anesthesia. Reduced peripheral resistance is expressed by a decline of the resistance index. After sedation and during recumbency there is an increase in diameter of the carotid artery.

ZusammenfassungDiese Veröffentlichung zeigt den sonographischen Zugang zu ausgewählten StruKuren des Pferderückens. Dabei wird insbesondere die sonographische Abbildung des Ligamentum supraspinale, der Fascia thoracolumbalis, der Ligamenta interspinalia, der epaxialen Muskulatur des Rückens, sowie der Processus spinosi untersucht. Neben den anatomischen Grundlagen wird die Untersuchungstechnik beschrieben. Die Sonographie des Ligamentum supraspinale und Fascia thoracolumbalis erfolgt in einer zufriedenstellenden Qualität und stellt dezeit das einzige praKikable bildgebende Verfahren zur Beurteilung dieser Weichteilstrukturen dar. Der sonographische Zugang der Interspinalbänder und der Dornfortsätze ist durch die anatomischen Verhältnisse erschwert, wobei nur die ,,Spitze des Eisbergs" darstellbar ist. Die Wertigkeit der sonographischen Abbildung der jeweiligen anatomischen Struktur wird diskutiert.Schlüsselwörter: Pferd, Sonographie, thorakolumbale Wirbelsäule, Weichteile Diagnostic ultrasound of the equine back. Fundamentals and examination techniques for selected structures of the back Sonographic techniques for selected structures of the equine back are described, with reference to the anatomy. These structures include the supraspinous ligament, the thoracolumbar fascia, interspinous ligaments, epaxial musculature and the dorsal spinous processes. The sonograms of the supraspinous ligament and the thoracolumbar fascia are of good quality and until now sonography is the only way to show the soft tissues of the living horse's back with diagnostic imaging. In contrast the possibilities of presenting the dorsal spinous processes and their interspinous ligaments are limited by the anatomical structures themselves, so that only the ,,top of the ice-rock" is visible. The diaonostic value of the technioue is discussed.