Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics of Equine Head Disorders: 84 Cases (2000–2013)

Abstract

The equine head is an anatomically complex area, therefore advanced tomographic imaging techniques, such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are often required for diagnosis and treatment planning. The purpose of this multicenter retrospective study was to describe MRI characteristics for a large sample of horses with head disorders. Horses imaged over a period of 13 years were recruited. Eighty-four horses met the inclusion criteria, having neurological (n = 65), sinonasal (n = 14), and soft tissue (n = 5) disorders. Magnetic resonance imaging accurately depicted the anatomy and allowed identification of the primary lesion and associated changes. There were good correlations between MRI findings and intraoperative or postmortem results. Magnetic resonance imaging showed the exact localization of the lesions, their size, and relation to surrounding structures. However, in the neurological group, there were 45 horses with no MRI abnormalities, 29 of which had a history of recurrent seizures, related to cryptogenic epilepsy. Magnetic resonance imaging was otherwise a valuable diagnostic tool, and can be used for studying a broad range of head disorders using either low-field or high-field magnets.

Diagnosis of severe traumatic brain injury using multimodal imaging in a donkey

“…; Manso‐Diaz et al . ). Based on the radiographs, no fracture was identified; however, a fracture of the occiput was suspected on MRI and confirmed with CT and necropsy.…”

“…MRI has the potential to identify intracranial lesions or masses, which may not be visualised with CT and showed good agreement of lesion localisation, size and association to surrounding structures compared to pathology as well as surgery findings (Manso‐Diaz et al . ). In a previous study, which examined horses with seizures, CT was unable to detect intracranial lesions (Sogaro‐Robinson et al .…”

Use of contrast media in computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in horses: Techniques, adverse events and opportunities

“…Though similar results are found between studies regardless of dose, higher GCM doses provide greater contrast enhancement [11,226,227,230]. Not all disease processes require GCM to detect, but pathological conditions causing increased extracellular fluid, increased vascularity, or breakdown of the blood brain barrier will be detected using contrast-enhanced MRI [11,227].…”

Clinical Approach to Commonly Encountered Problems

“…348,364,399,400 Skull radiographs and CT are particularly useful in horses with skull trauma. 348,364,399,400 Skull radiographs and CT are particularly useful in horses with skull trauma.…”

“…348,364,399,400 Skull radiographs and CT are particularly useful in horses with skull trauma. 364,399 There has been a good correlation between MRI findings and intraoperative or postmortem results. MRI has been shown to be a valuable diagnostic tool, especially in the evaluation of symptomatic epilepsy.…”