A technique for pelvic radiography in the standing horse.
Authors: Barrett E L, Talbot A M, Driver A J, Barr F J, Barr A R S
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Standing Pelvic Radiography in the Horse Barrett and colleagues developed a lateral oblique radiographic technique that enables clinicians to visualise the caudal iliac shaft, acetabulum, femoral head and coxofemoral joint in standing, conscious horses—eliminating the anaesthetic risk inherent in traditional pelvic imaging protocols. Applied retrospectively to 18 clinical cases, the method successfully identified three iliac shaft fractures, one acetabular fracture, two coxofemoral luxations and four instances of periarticular new bone formation around the hip joint and proximal femur. Whilst straightforward and non-invasive, the technique has recognised limitations: it does not visualise the entire pelvis, and normal findings cannot exclude fractures or injuries in other regions. For equine practitioners managing horses with suspected pelvic or hip pathology, this standing technique offers a practical first-line diagnostic option that avoids general anaesthesia whilst reliably imaging the caudal pelvic structures most commonly affected by trauma and degenerative change. However, clinical correlation and additional imaging modalities remain essential when suspicion of pelvic injury persists despite normal radiographic findings.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Standing lateral oblique pelvic radiography offers a safe way to investigate suspected pelvic injuries without anesthesia risks
- •The technique effectively identifies fractures of the iliac shaft and acetabulum, and coxofemoral joint pathology in clinical cases
- •Normal radiographic findings do not rule out all pelvic injuries—further investigation may be needed for injuries elsewhere in the pelvis
Key Findings
- •Lateral oblique radiography in standing conscious horses successfully visualized caudal iliac shaft, greater trochanter, femoral head, acetabulum and coxofemoral articulation
- •Of 18 cases: 3 iliac shaft fractures, 1 acetabular fracture, 2 coxofemoral luxations, and 4 horses with new bone formation around coxofemoral joint identified
- •Technique is straightforward, noninvasive alternative to general anesthesia for pelvic radiography