title: Factors predictive of abnormal results for computed tomography of the head in horses affected by neurologic disorders: 57 cases (2001-2007).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine neurologic indications associated with abnormal results for computed tomography (CT) imaging of the head of horses affected by neurologic disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  57 horses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Signalment, history, clinical abnormalities, and clinicopathologic findings were obtained from medical records of horses examined because of neurologic disorders, and precontrast and postcontrast CT images of the head were reviewed. Data were analyzed by use of univariate and multivariate logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For a horse with abnormal mentation, odds of having abnormal results for CT imaging of the head was 30 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.36 to 374.63) the odds for a similar horse without abnormal mentation. For a horse with cranial nerve deficits, odds of having abnormal results for CT imaging of the head was 11 times (95% CI, 1.00 to 127.96) the odds for a similar horse without cranial nerve deficits. For a horse with seizure-like activity, odds of having abnormal results for CT imaging of the head was 0.05 times (95% CI, 0 to 0.90) the odds for a similar horse without seizures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggested that alterations in consciousness and cranial nerve deficits were strong predictors of abnormal CT findings for the head of affected horses. Thus, CT can be a useful complementary diagnostic test in horses with these neurologic deficits. In contrast, alternative diagnostic tests (eg, electroencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging) should be considered in horses with seizure-like activity that do not have head trauma or cranial nerve deficits.
authors: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Sogaro-Robinson
authors: Véronique A
authors: VA
authors: Lacombe
authors: Stephen M
authors: SM
authors: Reed
authors: Rajesh
authors: R
authors: Balkrishnan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary*