Page 210 - A Practical Guide to Equine Radiography
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VetBooks.ir CHAPTER 17
Thorax
Indications Divide the thorax according to the size of
Radiography of the thorax in a full-sized, adult the plates so each view overlaps slightly. In the
horse requires high exposures and is usually standard adult horse, the thorax is divided into
reserved to referral centres. Main indications four quadrants by delineating two perpendicu-
for obtaining thoracic radiographs are: lar lines, a vertical one extending caudodorsally
from the olecranon and a horizontal one extend-
• Clinical signs of lower respiratory or cardiac ing caudally from the shoulder (Fig. 17.1):
disease: cough, bilateral nasal discharge,
tachypnoea and dyspnoea • Craniodorsal
• Abnormal lung sounds • Cranioventral
• Exercise intolerance • Caudodorsal
• Fever of unknown origin • Caudoventral.
• Further evaluation of abnormal ultrasono-
graphic findings. Note: in some horses, it may be helpful to use
auscultation or percussion to delineate the lung
field!
Equipment
For a complete study of the thorax the follow-
ing equipment is required: Radiographic protocol
A standard radiographic examination of the
• High-output X-ray generator
• Large plates (35 × 43 cm) thorax of an adult horse is composed of four
• Parallel grid depending on the system overlapping laterolateral (LL) views. In ponies
• Blinkers may be helpful and small horses one or two views may be
• Mounted plate holder (ceiling- or wall- sufficient to cover the whole lung field. The
mounted) radiographs should be obtained in full inspira-
• Radiation safety equipment: lead gowns, tion. Foals can be radiographed either in lateral
lead gloves and thyroid protectors. recumbency or standing.
Additional projections that can be obtained
in foals:
Preparation
Sedation of the patient is advised. The use of • Ventrodorsal (VD).
blinkers is also helpful.
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