Ultrasonography is a diagnostic tool that is used to evaluate soft tissue structures throughout the entire body. Newer ultrasound machines are able to provide very detailed images of internal structures, and the technology continues to advance. Ultrasound machines utilize sound waves that are transmitted into the tissues using one of many different types of probes. The sound waves will hit various different tissues within the horse’s body and some will be reflected back to the probe. The reflected waves are relayed to the machine where it calculates the distance from the probe to each tissue or organ. It also detects how many reflected waves are returning at certain points. The machine combines this information to create an image with varying shades of grey, which corresponds to the density of the tissue within the body. All ultrasound machines also have the ability to use Doppler technology to visualize blood flow through vessels and tissues.

 

Our veterinarians commonly use ultrasound to image the following areas to diagnose related diseases and perform guided injections or aspirations:

• Cervical spine - identification of joint disease and ultrasound-guided injection of facet joints

• Thoracic and lumbar spine – ligament evaluation and guided injections of intraspinous spaces

• Sacroiliac injections

• Thoracic ultrasound to evaluate the lung surface and pleural cavity

• Cardiac ultrasound (echocardiogram)

• Abdominal ultrasound – as a component of a colic exam, for evaluation of internal organ structure and the surface of the GI tract, and as a guide for tissue aspiration (liver, kidney, peritoneal fluid, etc).

• Entire reproductive tract in mares and internal/external genitalia of stallions

• Muscle, ligaments and tendons of the limbs

• Joints, especially the stifle joint – some joint disease can only be found with ultrasound

• Abnormal masses anywhere on the body

• Eye – for retina visualization as well as evaluation of other internal ocular structures