Abstract
<p>There is no conclusive evidence available to guide recommendations as to whether venograms provide any greater diagnostic or prognostic information compared to the use of plain radiographs in horses with chronic laminitis. Further evidence is needed to better answer this PICO.</p><br /> <img src="https://www.veterinaryevidence.org/rcvskmod/icons/oa-icon.jpg" alt="Open Access" /> <img src="https://www.veterinaryevidence.org/rcvskmod/icons/pr-icon.jpg" alt="Peer Reviewed" />
Highlights
Intervention details: Plain lateral radiographs, and lateral and dorsopalmar venograms taken of both front feet at initial presentation
The authors concluded “the venogram helped confirm that the lameness was not because of solar bruising or shoeing, but was because of laminitis”
In the healthy equine digit, venography reveals consistent digital vasculature without perfusion deficits, including filling of the venous vessels and retrograde arterial filling in some cases (Arthur and Rucker, 2003, D'Arpe and Bernardini, 2010, Redden, 2001, Rucker, 2003a, Rucker, 2003b, Rucker et al, 2006, Rucker, 2010c). In both experimentally-induced and naturally-occurring chronic laminitis it is reported that venography highlights notable perfusion deficits (Arthur and Rucker, 2003, Baldwin and Pollitt, 2010, D'Arpe and Bernardini, 2010, Rucker, 2010a)
Summary
Population: 18-year old American Saddlebred gelding with insulin-resistance. Presented with a history of six-hour bilateral forelimb lameness and elevations in digital pulse pressure in all four limbs, subsequent to being ridden on trails one week earlier. Intervention details: Plain lateral radiographs, and lateral and dorsopalmar venograms taken of both front feet at initial presentation. Study design: Review article containing a case series of three animals, one of which had laminitis (i.e. empirical data relevant to this Knowledge Summary presented on one case). Main findings: Plain radiographs identified mild remodelling at the apex of the (relevant to PICO question): distal phalanx and narrow sole depth (7 mm in the most painful, right fore). The dorsopalmar venogram confirmed absence of contrast in the circumflex vessel and sole corium beneath the descended apex of the distal phalanx, with relatively normal medial and lateral sublamellar vascular beds. The authors concluded “the venogram helped confirm that the lameness was not because of solar bruising or shoeing, but was because of laminitis”
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