Claustrophobia during MRI or CT scans is a prominent concern for those undergoing the procedures. But when the patients are horses, the biggest challenge is fitting the animal in the tight space.
A team of researchers in Japan tried to use CT scanning to examine the spinal cord of five thoroughbred foals thought to have Wobbler Syndrome, or ataxia caused by spinal or cervical cord compression.
“Currently existing CT myelography machines have a small gantry (opening), designed for humans and small animals, and that’s not good enough for horses because we can’t get a picture of the entire cervical vertebral column,” said Kazutaka Yamada, PhD, DVM, of Azabu University’s Veterinary Radiology Department in Kanagawa, Japan.
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Nicholas joined TriMed in 2016 as the managing editor of the Chicago office. After receiving his master’s from Roosevelt University, he worked in various writing/editing roles for magazines ranging in topic from billiards to metallurgy. Currently on Chicago’s north side, Nicholas keeps busy by running, reading and talking to his two cats.