Problems associated with the use of radiography in the examination of a horse for a purchaser.
The radiography of horses on behalf of a purchaser has become an inevitable part of a veterinarian's work. Radiography should, in theory, pose no more problems than a general clinical examination. In practice, difficulties arise when insufficient or inadequate films are taken or the films are misinterpreted. Radiographs of a diagnostic quality need to be taken and interpreted by a veterinarian who is reasonably well versed in radiological interpretation. Occasionally a lesion will be overlooked or misinterpreted and the radiographs will be retained so that the veterinarian's judgement can be challenged. Nevertheless, if the examination is properly conducted it is the prospective purchaser who must accept the inherent limitations of the technique, not the examining veterinarian. There is an urgent need for discussions to clarify and agree on the scope of the radiographic examination which should be performed. There is also a need for further research into the significance of minor radiographic variations from normality in equine limbs and into the natural history of the diseases which affect this most vital area.
D000818:Animals; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006736:Horses; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000662:veterinary; D011859:Radiography; D013679:Technology, Radiologic / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary