Gastrojejunostomy as a treatment for gastric outflow disorders in four adult horses.

Four adult horses with histories of moderate abdominal pain and inappetence were diagnosed with delayed gastric emptying and gastric impaction attributed to pyloroduodenal obstruction (three cases) or duodenitis (one case). A stapled side-to-side gastrojejunostomy was performed on all horses. Two horses returned to work and survived ≥3 years. One horse was euthanased 6 months post-surgery due to recurrent abdominal pain, and one was found dead 5 months postsurgery after an unattended foaling.

Validation of a photogrammetric technique for computing equine hoof volume.

Assessment of equine foot conformation is often based on linear and angular measurements performed on lateral digital photographs. However, quantification of external foot conformation requires more comprehensive assessments to capture the shape of the entire foot. Volumetric measurements of the hoof capsule represent a summary measure quantifying foot shape. The aim of this study was to develop a method for computation of virtual foot models from digital foot images allowing precise and accurate volumetric measurements. This photogrammetric technique was then assessed for the characterization of foot volume changes associated with foot trimming. Using the technique, three different photographers imaged feet from 18 cadavers at different time points and one analyst processed their images to generate virtual computer models. Volumetric measurements were obtained from these models to determine their precision in the context of 'Photographer', 'Time' and the effect of 'Trimming'. Computed tomographic (CT) imaging was used to assess the accuracy of the photogrammetric method. Pre-trim photogrammetric measurements showed excellent precision and accuracy and the results did not depend on the person acquiring the images. The accuracy of post-trim photogrammetric measurements deteriorated in comparison with the average differences measured by CT imaging (19 cm(3)). Precise volumetric measurements were obtained using the photogrammetric method, but average differences in foot volume after trimming as measured by CT imaging are likely too small to be detected with confidence.

Precision of a photogrammetric method to perform 3D wound measurements compared to standard 2D photographic techniques in the horse.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Methods of 3D wound imaging in man play an important role in monitoring of healing and determination of the prognosis. Standard photographic assessments in equine wound management consist of 2D analyses, which provide little quantitative information on the wound bed. HYPOTHESES: 3D imaging of equine wounds is feasible using principles of stereophotogrammetry. 3D measurements differ significantly and are more precise than results with standard 2D assessments. METHODS: Repeated specialised photographic imaging of 4 clinical wounds left to heal by second intention was performed. The intraoperator variability in measurements due to imaging and 3D processing was compared to that of a standard 2D technique using descriptive statistics and multivariate repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Using a custom made imaging system, 3D analyses were successfully performed. Area and circumference measurements were significantly different between imaging modalities. The intraoperator variability of 3D measurements was up to 2.8 times less than that of 2D results. On average, the maximum discrepancy between repeated measurements was 5.8% of the mean for 3D and 17.3% of the mean for 2D assessments. CONCLUSIONS: The intraoperator repeatability of 3D wound measurements based on principles of stereophotogrammetry is significantly increased compared to that of a standard 2D photographic technique indicating it may be a useful diagnostic and monitoring tool. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The equine granulation bed plays an important role in equine wound healing. When compared to 2D analyses 3D monitoring of the equine wound bed allows superior quantitative characterisation, contributing to clinical and experimental investigations by offering potential new parameters.

Retrospective study of the effect of intra-articular treatment of osteoarthritis of the distal tarsal joints in 51 horses.

Osteoarthritis of the distal tarsal joints, affecting the centrodistal and tarsometatarsal joints, is a common cause of hindlimb lameness in horses. This paper describes the outcome of the intra-articular treatment of 51 horses with the condition with either methylprednisolone acetate (mpa) or triamcinolone acetonide (tr), either with or without hyaluronic acid (ha). The outcome was assessed in terms of the changes in the horses' grade of lameness. Follow-up information was obtained from the owners by means of a telephone questionnaire. Horses treated once with mpa or tr, either with or without ha, improved after a median of 56 days (P<0.0001), and there was no significant difference between mpa and tr. There was no significant further improvement in the horses treated twice. In the horses in which there was a diffuse increase in the uptake of a radiopharmaceutical by the distal tarsal joints, identified by scintigraphy, the lameness tended to improve (P=0.032), whereas in the horses in which the uptake was focal, it did not. At telephone follow-up 13 of 34 horses were reported to have had a positive outcome, but the outcome in the other 21 was reported to have been negative.