Introduction

• Ultrasonography   Ultrasonography: overview  is most valuable in the evaluation of soft tissue pathology.
• Transcutaneous and rectal routes can be used depending on the area that is to be imaged.

Uses

• Investigation of of musculoskeletal disease   Ultrasonography: bone / joints    Ultrasonography: flexor tendon  .

Advantages

• Adaptable.
• Non-invasive (or marginally invasive).
• In itself safe, though rectal examination can be dangerous.
• Portable.
• Not expensive.
• Painless.

Requirements

Preparation

Procedure

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Redding W R & Pease A P (2010) Imaging of the shoulder. Equine Vet Educ 22 (4), 199-209 VetMedResource.
• Pasquet H, Coudry V & Denoix J M (2008) Ultrasonographic examination of the proximal tendon of the biceps brachii: technique and reference images. Equine Vet Educ 20 (6), 331-336 WileyOnline.
• Smith S & Smith R (2008) Diagnostic ultrasound of the limb joints, muscle and bone in horses. In Pract 30 (3), 152-159 VetMedResource.
• Jacquet S, Audigie F & Denoix J M (2007) Ultrasonographic diagnosis of subchondral bone cysts in the medial femoral condyle in horses. Equine Vet Educ 19 (1), 47-50 WileyOnline.
• Coudry V & Denoix J M (2005) Ultrasonography of the femorotibial collateral ligaments of the horse. Equine Vet Educ 17 (5), 275-279 VetMedResource.
• Dik K J, Van den Belt A J M & Keg P R (1991) Ultrasonographic evaluation of fetlock annular ligament constriction in the horse. Equine Vet J 23 (4), 285-288 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Whitcomb M B (2003) How to Perform a Complete Ultrasound Exam of the Equine Shoulder. In: Proc 49th AAEP Convention.pp 42-49.
• Rantanen N & McKinnon A (1998) Equine Diagnostic Ultrasound. 1st edn. Eds: Williams & Wilkins, USA. ISBN 0-683-07123-8.
• Nyland T G & Mattoon J S (1995) Veterinary Diagnostic Ultrasound. W B Saunders Co, USA.