Advances in the Diagnosis of Equine Respiratory Diseases: A Review of Novel Imaging and Functional Techniques.
Authors: Kozłowska Natalia, Wierzbicka Małgorzata, Jasiński Tomasz, Domino Małgorzata
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Equine respiratory dysfunction represents a major cause of exercise intolerance and performance decline, yet traditional diagnostic methods—endoscopy, radiography and ultrasonography—often provide incomplete functional assessment, particularly of lower airway disease. Kożłowska and colleagues reviewed emerging diagnostic technologies adapted from human medicine, examining how computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, spirometry, electrical impedance tomography (EIT), and impulse oscillation system (IOS) are reshaping equine respiratory diagnostics. Advanced imaging techniques substantially improve anatomical definition of upper airway pathology, whilst functional testing methods offer novel insights into lower airway mechanics and ventilation distribution that cannot be obtained through conventional examination alone. The practical value of these approaches lies in their capacity to detect subclinical or functionally significant disease—particularly important given the horse's inherent respiratory plasticity—enabling earlier intervention before performance becomes noticeably compromised. For equine professionals, understanding both the capabilities and limitations of these advanced modalities is essential for appropriate case selection and interpretation, especially when managing racehorses, competition animals, or those with subtle, recurrent respiratory compromise where traditional diagnostics prove inconclusive.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Consider advanced imaging (CT/MR) when routine endoscopy and radiography are inconclusive for upper airway problems, as they provide superior anatomical detail for diagnosis
- •Functional testing methods (spirometry, EIT, IOS) offer objective assessment of lower airway disease and may help differentiate functional impairment from structural abnormalities
- •A systematic approach combining traditional techniques (clinical exam, endoscopy, imaging) with newer functional diagnostics improves diagnostic accuracy and may identify performance-limiting respiratory disease earlier
Key Findings
- •Advanced imaging techniques including CT and MR imaging significantly expand diagnostic capabilities for upper respiratory tract diseases beyond conventional radiography and ultrasonography
- •Functional diagnostic techniques such as spirometry, electrical impedance tomography (EIT), and impulse oscillation system (IOS) provide new diagnostic insights into lower respiratory tract diseases
- •Respiratory dysfunction commonly leads to exercise intolerance and poor performance, representing one of the most frequent problems in equine internal medicine
- •Novel diagnostic techniques from human medicine are increasingly being successfully implemented and adapted for equine respiratory disease diagnosis