Assessment of radiographic positioning for the diagnosis of navicular disease in the horse.
Authors: Rose
Journal: Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Assessment of Radiographic Positioning for Navicular Disease Diagnosis Rose's 1981 investigation compared three standard radiographic projections of the navicular bone in sound horses against those with clinically affected naviculars, seeking to identify which positioning protocols yielded the most diagnostically useful images. The upright pedal view proved superior when the pastern was angled 20 degrees from vertical using a grid technique; the high coronary view performed optimally at 1000 mm anode-film distance with the tube head angled 55 degrees from vertical; and Morgan's specialised navicular view showed best visualisation at 900 mm anode-film distance, 55-degree tube angulation, and central beam positioning between the heel bulbs. The author concluded that combining the upright pedal and specialised navicular views provides the most effective diagnostic accuracy for confirming navicular disease. For contemporary practitioners, these technical specifications remain relevant reference points, particularly when radiographic equipment allows precise control of positioning angles and focal distances—understanding these parameters helps explain why inconsistent technique can produce false negatives and supports the case for standardised protocols within practice protocols.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Use the upright pedal view with 20° pastern angulation and a grid for the clearest navicular bone detail in practice
- •When using the special navicular view, set your anode-film distance to 900 mm and tube-head angle to 55° centered between the heel bulbs for optimal diagnostic imaging
- •Always use a combination of both the upright pedal and special navicular views rather than relying on a single projection to diagnose navicular disease
Key Findings
- •Upright pedal view with 20-degree pastern angulation from vertical produces optimum radiographic visualization of the navicular bone using a grid
- •High coronary view achieves best results at 1000 mm anode-film distance with 50-degree tube-head angle from vertical
- •Morgan's special navicular view shows most satisfactory projection at 900 mm anode-film distance, 55-degree tube-head angle, with beam centered between heel bulbs
- •Combination of upright pedal view and special navicular view is most effective for diagnosing navicular disease