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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Decreased radiopharmaceutical uptake (photopenia) in delayed phase scintigraphic images in three horses.

Journal:
Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association
Year:
2007
Authors:
Levine, David G et al.
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Studies · United States
Species:
horse

Plain-English summary

This study looked at three horses that had issues with their bones, specifically septic osteitis (an infection in the bone), bone sequestrum formation (where dead bone tissue forms), or thrombosis in their lower limbs (a blood clot). In these horses, a special imaging test showed decreased uptake of a radioactive substance in the affected legs, which is known as photopenia. This finding could suggest that there is a lack of blood flow to the area, which can help veterinarians make decisions about treatment and understand the likely outcome for the horses. The study highlights that while photopenia is more commonly seen in people, it can also be important in diagnosing and managing similar conditions in horses.

Abstract

Decreased radiopharmaceutical uptake, photopenia, in delayed phase scintigraphic images is recognized in people but has only been reported rarely in horses. We describe three horses with septic osteitis, bone sequestrum formation, or distal limb thrombosis that had photopenia of the affected extremity. Photopenia may indicate the presence of ischemia and can be used to facilitate clinical decision making and prognosis assessment

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Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17899984/