Advantages and areas of application of MRI in equine medicine
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has established itself as a very useful diagnostic tool in equine medicine, the advantages and areas of application of which are explained below:
Detailed Images
MRI provides extremely detailed images of internal structures. In to X-rays, which mainly show bone, MRI can visualize both soft tissue and bone tissue. This is particularly useful for diagnosing soft tissue changes and inflammation in the limbs that cause lameness, for example.Detection of soft tissue damage
MRI is particularly valuable for the detection and assessment of soft tissue damage, such as tendon or ligament injuries. Such injuries can be difficult to detect with other imaging techniques. ist besonders wertvoll für die Erkennung und Bewertung von Weichteilschäden.Confirm or rule out previous diagnoses
MRI can be used to confirm or refute the results of other imaging techniques, leading to a more accurate diagnosis and targeted therapy.
Non-invasive Method
As this is a non-invasive method, the risk to the horse is minimal and the examination is not painful. No incisions or surgical procedures are required, which reduces the risk of infection.Early detection of diseases
MRI can detect changes in tissue long before clinical symptoms appear. This enables early intervention and can significantly improve the prognosis.Treatment planning and monitoring
After diagnosis, MRI can be used to monitor the progress of treatment. Changes in the size and nature of injuries can be closely monitored, allowing the treatment plan to be adjusted.
The use of MRI in equine medicine requires specialised equipment and expertise, as the size and behaviour of the animals present particular challenges. Despite these challenges, MRI provides invaluable diagnostic support that contributes to the health and well-being of horses.
Procedure
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an advanced imaging technique that is frequently used to diagnose diseases in horses, particularly in the area of the legs. MRI uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of structures inside the body and, unlike computed tomography (CT), does not involve radiation. Here is a detailed description of the procedure for an MRI scan on a horse:
Preparation
Medical history and preliminary examination: Before the MRI examination, the vet will carry out a thorough clinical examination of the horse and check the medical history. This is important to ensure that the horse is suitable for the MRI.
Sedation and anaesthesia
The MRI examination requires the horse to be absolutely still throughout the procedure. Therefore, the horse is usually sedated or a general anaesthetic is used.
Monitoring the horse during anaesthesia is crucial to ensure that it remains stable and no complications occur.
Positioning in the MRI machine
The horse is carefully positioned on the MRI scanner and the region to be examined is positioned in the coil. In our MRI, the limbs up to and including the knee joint can be examined.
It is important that the horse is positioned correctly in order to achieve excellent image quality.
Performing the MRI
Once the horse is positioned, the actual MRI examination begins. A strong magnetic field is generated around the region to be examined, which aligns the water molecules in the body in parallel. A radio wave pulse is then applied, which changes the effect of the hydrogen nuclei. After this pulse, they return to their original parallel position. The extent of this deflection is recorded and converted into sectional images by a computer.
Depending on the size of the area to be examined and the desired level of detail of the images, the MRI can take between 30 minutes and several hours.
After the examination
After the images have been taken, the horse is slowly awakened from the anaesthetic if a general anaesthetic has been administered.
The horse will be monitored until it is fully awake from sedation or anaesthesia to ensure that there are no adverse reactions or complications.
The MRI images are analysed by our specialists in order to make a diagnosis or plan further treatment steps.