title: Back problems. Radiology and scintigraphy.
abstract: Radiology and, more recently, scintigraphy are important ancillary diagnostic aids in the diagnosis of a horse with suspected back pain. Although the image quality is restricted by the size of the patient, radiographs have been used for several decades. With the introduction of modern fast-screen film systems, the quality of the images has greatly improved. These imaging techniques allow assessment of the anatomy and physiology of structures in the spine that are difficult or impossible to palpate. This article reviews the techniques and limitations of imaging the equine back, in addition to correlation imaging results and clinical findings.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Ballsbridge, Ireland.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Jeffcott
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nowak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001416:Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006736:Horses; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*