A REVIEW OF EQUINE RENAL IMAGING TECHNIQUES

Radiography has a limited role in the evaluation of the kidneys in foa ls and adult horses, Ultrasonography is the current method of choice f or structural evaluation of the kidneys in horses as it provides addit ional information to standard serum chemistry and urinalysis evaluatio n, A variety of structural abnormalities have been identified in disea sed equine kidneys with the use of ultrasound, Ultrasound guided renal biopsy is the preferred method for performing renal biopsy in the hor se, The use of Duplex Doppler ultrasound may allow for the characteriz ation of regional hemodynamics of the equine kidney, but is currently an untapped method for evaluation of equine renal hemodynamics, Radion uclide methods including scintigraphy and quantitative renal function measurement can be used to provide further information about equine re nal function, Scintigraphy can provide structural and possibly functio nal information. Quantitative methods using radiopharmaceuticals can p rovide precise measurement of glomerular filtration rate and effective renal blood flow, This method is especially helpful in identifying ac ute renal failure and in guiding response to treatment. All equine ren al imaging techniques should be a supplement to the physical examinati on and standard laboratory tests, Additional diagnostic aids such as u rinary tract endoscopy should also be considered in horses with hematu ria, hydroureter, and suspected calculi, Taken together, all these mod alities provide a through evaluation of the equine renal system and pr ovide a basis for the clinician to select treatment options and provid e prognostic information to the owner.