Diagnostic Imaging

Who are we

UQ VETS is the only veterinary practice in Queensland with a full-time, dedicated imaging team comprised of radiologists and radiographers.

The Equine Specialist Hospital boasts access to state of the art equipment such as nuclear scintigraphy, computed tomography and standing magnetic resonance imaging.

Our wide variety of imaging modalities have a broad range of applications across multiple disciplines. It can assist in the diagnosis of internal medicine, surgical and sports medicine ailments. 

Our services

• Direct Digital Radiography and Ultrasound
• Computed Tomography (CT)
• Nuclear Medicine (Bone Scan)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Direct Digital Radiography and Ultrasound

Traditional imaging modalities such as radiography and ultrasound are commonly performed and well catered for by UQ VETS ESH. The hospital has numerous ultrasound machines available for a variety of cases including extremely high-quality ultrasonography equipment. These high-quality imaging modalities are suitable for an array of cases such as colic, musculoskeletal exams and echocardiography. Specialist clinicians utilise these modalities to offer ultrasound guided injections for joints, tendons and ligament injuries. Echocardiography, colour Doppler, tissue Doppler and speckle analysis are used to diagnose structural and functional cardiac abnormalities and establish the cause of heart murmurs.

With a top of the line wireless direct digital radiography system, the hospital is well equipped to acquire diagnostic quality radiographs. The facilities contain a variety of X-ray generators, grids and positioning aids to ensure high-quality images every time. A new (Jan 2019) C-arm image intensifier allows for intraoperative imaging for orthopaedic surgeries allowing for improved more accurate surgical repair of fractures and other similar injuries.

All images are stored on a hospital wide picture archiving and communication system (PACS) which allows for easy transfer to, or received of, images to and from referring veterinarians. This same system ensures that returning patients have their imaging easily on file, beneficial in chronic cases requiring multiple visits or multi-modality imaging.

Computed Tomography (CT)

UQ VETS is the only Equine hospital to offer Computed Tomography (CT) in Queensland. With a purpose built equine table (CT examinations are performed under general anaesthesia), the hospital is able to offer distal limb, head and neck imaging of horses. CT imaging allows for 3D visualisation of the anatomy to identify a wide variety of pathology and is extremely useful in surgical planning. The extra information obtainable using a CT allows for improved surgical outcomes due to the 3D images allowing for improved planning and execution. Specially trained staff are on site to acquire and interpret the images. CT imaging provides significantly more information than conventional imaging regarding a range of equine pathologies that can help with diagnosis and treatment planning which will result in better outcomes for our patients.  

Example video of 3D reconstruction of a comminuted Middle Phalanx fracture in a horse (YouTube, 00:04s)

Nuclear Medicine (Bone Scan)

Scintigraphy (a form of nuclear medicine also called “bone scans”) is performed by the injection of radioactive material into the patient which temporarily infuses into bones and soft tissues. Once the uptake is complete the imaging is acquired using a Gamma scanner, the camera which detects the different levels of radiation and creates an image as a result. The areas of increased radiopharmaceutical uptake or ‘hot spots’ indicate increased turnover (reaction) therefore identifying an area of concern and commonly a diagnosis as a result. Scintigraphy is extremely beneficial for horses that have non-specific lameness where a specific area of concern has not been able to be localised or cannot be localised due to concern regarding patient safety. Scintigraphy is generally performed 10-14 days post an acute lameness as this is the best time to see increased uptake. Once an area has been localised the patient can be referred for further diagnostic imaging in relevant areas i.e. ultrasound, radiography, etc. UQ VETS is excited to announce the instalment of a new cutting edge quality scintigraphy suite in the hospital that will provide even more information in these complicated lameness cases.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

In 2019 UQ VETS added a standing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) unit to their diagnostic arsenal, the first of its type in Queensland, and only the third in the country. Considered a gold standard in lameness diagnostics, MRI provides excellent visualisation of the structures of the distal limb, with the ability to highlight pathology that is often not apparent on other imaging modalities such as radiography and ultrasound. A benefit of the standing MRI is that the horse does not need general anaesthesia to be performed, only sedation. This increases the ease and safety of use of this technology for our patients and when combined with the fact that the magnetic fields used with MRI’s do not represent a radiation safety risk to our patients makes it a safe, efficient and effective modality. Each study is acquired by a team of dedicated equine imaging staff and reviewed by a specialist equine radiologist. This state of the art modality has the ability to eliminate the time consuming and often frustrating trial and error approach that an open diagnosis of lameness can result in using traditional modalities.

Online MRI referral form