Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging invented the standing equine scanner
for horse safety and comfort

No General Anesthesia Required for Most Scans

MRI: Our Equipment

MRI Benefits

Reduce Cost to Client

MRI & Foot Lameness

MRI: Our Equipment

Our equipment is an open MRI system, designed by Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging, Inc.  This system allows patients to stand under mild sedation, while distal extremities (feet, pasterns, and fetlocks) and other body parts are scanned in a weight-bearing state.

Our equipment also allows the horse to be scanned lying down under general anethesia, if necessary, to obtain images of structures of the proximal limbs.

We are one of only 15 equine veterinary clinics nationwide to offer standing MRI to equine patients.

MRI provides a series of clear, precise three-dimensional images that are more detailed than radiology  or  ultrasound.  MRI allows us to examine the horse's inner structure, particularly the structures within the hoof.   MRI provides us with the information to more accurately pinpoint  and diagnose the source of lameness problems.

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MRI BENEFITS : Precise Diagnosis

1.) Allows targeted therapy
2.) Clarifies prognosis for return to soundness and prior level of work
3.) Reduces overall total costs to client

Without the MRI, the therapeutic approach to foot lameness may be wrong 30 - 50% of the time.  Thus, MRI improves targeted treatment and outcome by as much as 70%.!

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REDUCE COSTS TO CLIENT by minimizing....

1.) Cost of repeat exams by veterinarians
2.) Cost of unsuccessful treatments
3.) Loss of work opportunity cost
4.) Lay up costs
5.) Costs of unsuccessful corrective shoeing

Therefore, MRI is most cost effective if NOT used as a last resort. If the lameness can be isolated with diagnostic blocks, and radiographs and ultrasound exams are negative, then  the next diagnostic step is to perform an MRI.

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MRI has revolutionized the diagnosis of foot lameness

• "Navicular syndrome" is now recognized as a term that can describe many different diseases of the foot.
  
  
• Only MRI can distinguish between them.

• Most problems do not affect the navicular bone, but instead relate to soft tissues, such as the deep digital flexor tendon and/or collateral ligaments.

• Soft tissue is not visible on X-ray, and the hoof limits visualization with the ultrasound.  Only MRI can detect soft tissue lesions deep in the foot.

• MRI is recognized as the best way to diagnose the cause of foot pain.

• With a better diagnosis your veterinarian can:
  1.) better predict the long-term outcome
  2.) plan effective treatment

• MRI is also the most powerful tool for certain forms of lameness above the foot.

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