Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 10, 2026
Construction of a Realistic, Whole-Body, Three-Dimensional Equine Skeletal Model using Computed Tomography Data
Published on: February 25, 2021
Radiological assessment of equestrian-related trauma: A retrospective cohort study
Rauni Rossi Norrlund1, Eva-Corina Caragounis2, Monika Fagevik Olsén3
1Department of Radiology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Background:
Equestrian sports have been found to cause high rates of injuries. In clinical practise after such injuries, polytrauma protocol workups usually include whole-body computed tomography (WBCT), CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis with intravenous iodine contrast medium, and CT of the cervical spine and brain without contrast. The purpose was to investigate the use of WBCT in equestrian-related accidents, to analyse demographics, mechanism of injury (MOI), therapy and severity of equine-related accidents, radiology, and the use of protecting equipment.
Material And Methods:
This is a retrospective study including a cohort of patients who were admitted to trauma centres at Queen Silvia Children's Hospital (paediatric <16 years) and Sahlgrenska University Hospital (adult ≥16 years) in Gothenburg in the period 2010 - 2020 due to equestrian-related injuries. Medical records were studied concerning patient demographics, MOI, protective equipment, injuries suffered, Injury Severity Score (ISS), surgery, and hospital length of stay.
Results:
There were 1341 patients (97 % female, 43 % paediatric) with equestrian-related accidents who were admitted to the hospitals. Of these, 262 were assessed as polytrauma, of whom 77 % were adults with median age of 38 years and 23 % were paediatric with median age of 13 years. WBCT was performed in 54 % of adult and 52 % of paediatric patients. The MOI was mainly fall from a horse 241/262 (92 %), and in 27/241 (11 %) the horse also fell on the rider. In the 262 patients, spine injury was seen in 32 %, thoracic injury in 29 %, cerebral hemorrhages in 22 (8 %), tetraplegia in 2 (0.8 %), and paraplegia in 1 (0.4 %). Abdominal injury was mostly seen in liver 13/262 (5 %). The median ISS was 4 (IQR 1-9). There were 59 % of paediatric and 48 % of adult patients hospitalized for a median of 2 days (IQR 1-5), and 14 needed intensive care. Surgery was required in 33 patients. Wearing of helmets and vests was recorded in 146 (56 %) and 58 (22 %) of the individuals, respectively.
Conclusions:
Only 54 % of adult and 52 % of paediatric patients underwent a WBCT after equestrian - related polytrauma indicating inadequate assessment. The documentation rate of safety equipment was low.
