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Carotid and cerebral angiography in the horse
Insights
Carotid angiography is a simple, safe diagnostic technique for horses, aiding in the detection of vascular abnormalities like aneurysms, particularly in guttural pouch mycosis cases. This method uses standard equipment and has proven valuable for surgical planning and diagnosing various head conditions.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Equine Surgery
Background:
- Carotid and cerebral angiography are relatively simple procedures in horses.
- Standard equine hospital equipment suffices for angiography.
- The technique involves carotid artery cutdown and catheterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate carotid and cerebral angiography as diagnostic tools in horses.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of angiography over a nine-year period.
- To highlight specific applications, such as diagnosing guttural pouch mycosis.
Main Methods:
- Carotid artery cutdown and catheterization.
- Selective catheterization of carotid artery branches.
- Routine use of angiography as a diagnostic aid over nine years.
Main Results:
- Angiography was performed without serious complications or adverse reactions.
- Carotid angiography successfully detected aneurysms and vascular abnormalities in horses with guttural pouch mycosis.
- Identified other indications: ethmoidal hematoma, Horner's syndrome, neoplasia, and other aneurysms.
Conclusions:
- Carotid angiography is a safe and valuable diagnostic aid in equine medicine.
- The technique is crucial for surgical planning in cases like guttural pouch mycosis.
- Cerebral angiography aids in diagnosing central nervous system abnormalities.
Abstract:
Carotid and cerebral angiography has been found to be a relatively simple technique to carry out in the horse. At most it involves a cutdown approach to the carotid artery, followed by catheterisation of the artery and selective catheterisation, if necessary, of one of its three branches. The technique can be carried out with standard equipment normally available within equine hospital facilities. The authors have employed angiography as a routine aid to diagnosis over the past nine years, without encountering any serious complications or adverse reactions. Carotid angiography has been especially valuable in the investigation of horses with guttural pouch mycosis. The technique has permitted the presence of aneurysms to be detected in many cases and significant vascular abnormalities in four cases. This information is valuable for the surgical treatment of horses with guttural pouch mycosis by ligation of the appropriate artery. Other indications for the use of carotid angiography include the investigation of ethmoidal haematoma, idiopathic Horner's syndrome, neoplasia of the head, venous aneurysms and arterial aneurysms in sites not associated with the guttural pouch. There are fewer occasions for the use of cerebral angiography in the horse, but it is indicated as an aid to the differential diagnosis of some abnormalities of the central nervous system.