Diagnostic Imaging - Endoscopy and Athroscopy
Endoscopy
The Practice has a range of flexible fibreoptic endoscopes with video capability. These enable the visual examination of the upper and lower respiratory tract of all sizes of horses and foals. Endoscopy. Respiratory endoscopy is very useful in the investigation of dynamic airway problems, infections and sources of bleeding.
The endoscope is passed in a similar way to a stomach tube, through the nostril and down the nasal passage into Throat. In the back of the throat (the pharynx), the soft palate, larynx, and guttural pouch openings can be visualised. From here the endoscope is passed through the larynx into the trachea (windpipe). It can be passed down the trachea towards the corina, where the trachea divides into the two major bronchi. In most cases endoscopy can be performed out in the standing, resting horse. Some horses will however require sedation
The endoscope can also be passed into the guttural pouches in the head. Endoscopes are also useful in visualising the bladder, the uterus. We also can examine the sinuses of the head after first creating a small trephine hole.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is ‘key-hole’ surgery used to examine and treat joints, tendons sheaths and bursa in the horse. Using a sterile rigid fibreoptic arthroscope, the inside of these structures can be visualised and assessed. In most cases this not only a diagnostic tool, but is a means of surgical treatment.
The arthroscope can be used in most joints of the horse and can be used for a wide variety of conditions such as OCD, fracture removal, infected joints and assessment of soft tissues within joints and tendon sheaths.
Use the links below to go to the other Diagnostic Imaging pages
Radiography
Ultrasound