MEDICAL IMAGING

Medical imaging is a collective term for all kinds of ways to make images of the interior of the horse. It is used for diagnostic purposes.

Radiographs are made with the help of X-rays. Radiation, depending on the energy, travels through most soft tissues, but not so much through harder calcium-containing tissue, which creates an image. For example, bone stops a lot of radiation but cartilage much less to none.

With a mobile radiology device, we can get a very high-quality X-ray image very quickly (within a few seconds), at the clinic or on location. With horses we usually use radiology for vettings, OCD screening and lameness.

Ultrasonography is a technique that uses sound waves that move through the body and allows the imaging of organs. With this technique we can gain insight into the size, structure and possible pathological abnormalities of soft tissues.

Because ultrasound does not penetrate the bone, radiology and ultrasound are two very complementary examinations and they are often both performed to diagnose an musculoskeletal irregularity. We mainly perform ultrasound of the musculoskeletal system at the clinic or on location.

Computed tomography (CT scan), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and scintigraphy are additional diagnostic examinations used in horses. Each of the three has its advantages and disadvantages. They are performed when radiology and ultrasounds do not provide sufficient results to make a diagnosis. We will advise you when these tests are necessary and where you can go with your horse.