O'Brien's Radiology for the Ambulatory Equine Practitioner PDF

Preface

The scope of equine radiology is broad, encompassing radiography and radiographic interpretation. Although there are a number of textbooks in these areas, in my opinion these books have inadequately covered the field of diagnostic radiology in optimum breadth and depth for the equine practitioner, veterinary student, and equine resident. Consequently, this book was produced to satisfy the need, as I see it, for a definitive text in equine diagnostic radiology: one that sufficiently reflects and reinforces the instruction I currently consider appropriate for a veterinary curriculum. The information in this text is based on my lecture notes and information used for laboratory instruction. My experiences from the classroom, practice laboratories, and in clinical rotations have provided a unique understanding of the important information needed by a veterinarian to detect and understand radiographic signs necessary to establish a differential diagnosis.

There are three important factors that stimulated me to write this textbook. Two of these are the inadequacies of veterinary education and the rapid development in the last decade of imaging modalities available to the equine practitioner.

Diagnostic radiology is the backbone of imaging performed by the equine practitioner. Veterinary education in North America consists on average of between three and four hours of equine radiology lectures during the four years of the veterinary medical education. Additionally, the university diagnostic radiologist must provide a broad educational experience to students covering the areas of small animal radiology, diagnostic ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine, and therapeutic radiology. There are very few radiologists with a primary interest in equine diagnostic radiology.

The second important factor that stimulated me to produce this textbook has been the rapid expansion of the radiological sciences resulting in additional information available to the equine practitioner. Diagnostic radiology has provided valuable interpretative information to the equine practitioner for decades. This modality remains the primary means of imaging available to most equine practitioners. Diagnostic radiology provides information related primarily to bone and joint diseases plus limited soft tissue interpretation. Diagnostic ultrasound that is available to equine practitioners allows more extensive soft tissue evaluation particularly the detailed assessment of tendons and ligaments suspected to have sustained injury. Nuclear medical procedures (scintigraphy) have been introduced and have an advantage of permitting identification of areas of bone and joint disease before changes can be identified with diagnostic radiology. MRI and CT have been introduced permitting better and more complete lesion detection and assessment. Finally, digital imaging has recently become available to equine practitioners permitting manipulation of image quality plus electronic transfer and storage of images.

These areas of expansion of the radiological sciences are expensive and require additional training to utilize them effectively. Their introduction and use do not eliminate the need for expertise in diagnostic radiology.

These factors, plus my retirement from an active teaching role after 35 years at the University, resulted in my goal of providing a text covering radiography and basic interpretative information for the equine practitioner. This text does not include evaluation of the head, spine, thorax, abdomen, and the proximal fore and hind limbs. It is concentrated in the anatomical regions where most equine practitioners can produce diagnostic radiographs and there is a frequent clinical need for radiographic examinations; i.e., the carpus and the stifle and distally to the foot.

This text is without references. The information presented includes ideas and writings by many that have been documented or modified through my clinical experience. I apologize to my predecessors and contemporaries, both known and unknown, for this exclusion, but this text was developed as a practical teaching aid for the equine-oriented student and practitioner. It represents my belief that the information is accurate and represents the 2004 state of our knowledge base.

There will be times when a reader concludes the information I have presented is incorrect. This is certainly a possibility. I challenge that reader to document my error(s) and publish the correction. This response will result in improvement of our knowledge base . . . a benefit to all.

My special gratitude is expressed to several individuals for their contributions to this text.

To John Neves and David Benzick for their valuable technical work and insights related to equine radiography, and especially John who worked with me for 30 years as the chief equine radiographer. John helped develop several special radiographic views, and he also provided numerous editorial comments about this text.

To Drs. Sarah Puchalski, Angela Hartman, Eric Johnson, Megan Richie, and David Detweiler, residents who read the chapters in draft form and contributed many valuable suggestions, and especially Dr. Richie for her detailed critique throughout the production phases of this book.

To John Doval whose outstanding expertise and creativity transformed my rough sketches and images into highly informative illustrations and photographs. These services have significantly contributed to the value of this book.

To Dianne Neri who provided numerous services in the preparation of the text including typing, proofreading, and keeping the workflow organized and moving forward.

Finally, to the past equine-oriented students and residents at the University of California and equine practitioners in general who taught me the need to explain both what to look for and the variations that can occur in the radiographic manifestation of disease processes.

To all of you I say a sincere, “Thank You.”