Computed tomography of the distal limb in the equine patient

Summary

# Editorial Summary Computed tomography (CT) has traditionally required general anaesthesia for distal limb imaging in horses, limiting its practical application in many equine practices; however, emerging standing CT technology promises to change this landscape significantly. Perrier reviews the clinical utility of CT imaging through three key pathologies—carpal fractures, proximal suspensory desmitis, and keratoma—demonstrating how advanced imaging can refine both diagnostic accuracy and surgical planning in ways that conventional radiography and ultrasonography cannot always achieve. The cases presented illustrate CT's particular value in detecting occult fractures, characterising soft tissue lesions with greater precision, and identifying bone resorption patterns that might otherwise be missed, offering veterinary surgeons substantially more detail for pre-operative decision-making. As standing CT systems become more widely available, equine practitioners should expect improved diagnostic confidence for complex distal limb conditions without the anaesthetic risks associated with recumbent imaging, though integration of these findings with clinical examination and conventional imaging remains essential. Understanding CT's capabilities and limitations across these common presentations will be crucial for farriers, vets, and physiotherapists collaborating on cases where lameness aetiology remains unclear despite conventional investigation.

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Key Findings

• •Computed tomography is increasingly available for equine distal limb diagnostics and surgical planning
• •Standing CT of the distal limb will soon be more widely available, reducing need for general anaesthesia
• •CT imaging effectively diagnoses carpal fractures, proximal suspensory desmitis, and keratomas in horses

Conditions Studied