Comparative characteristics of radiological examination and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of limb fractures in horses

Abstract

The article presents a comparative characteristic of the radiological method and magnetic resonance tomography in the diagnosis of distal fractures. Method and magnetic resonance imaging method in diagnosing fractures of distal limbs in horses. The research was conducted on the basis of the veterinary clinic "Maxima Vet" and the department of diagnostics, internal noncommunicable diseases, pharmacology, surgery and obstetrics of FGBOU VO Omsk GAU from January 2023 to the present time. The object of the study were horses with suspected fracture of the metatarsal bone (n=9) and fracture of the proximal phalanx (n=11). A set of diagnostic methods was used, including primary examination, radiological examination and magnetic resonance imaging of the area with suspected pathology. Statistical processing of the obtained data was carried out according to generally accepted methods. Radiological examination of these types of fractures is not an objective method of diagnosis to a greater extent due to the planar nature of the image, which does not allow clear visualisation and differentiation of normal physiological structures from pathological ones, and there is a probability of their superimposition. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed fractures of the investigated areas in 100% of cases. It is worth noting that fractures of these structures were more frequently registered in males - geldings and stallions, while in mares these pathologies were much less frequent. The age of animals with sagittal fracture of the proximal phalanx was 10.4±0.9 years, with fracture of the lateral condyle of the third metatarsal bone - 9.8±0.7 years. The obtained results allow to improve differential diagnostics of pathologies of musculoskeletal apparatus in horses for immediate start of necessary therapy and quick recovery of the traumatised animal.