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Summary: Background: Lymph nodes are routinely assessed ultrasonographically in humans and small animals. The ultrasonographic assessment of equine lymph nodes has only been sporadically reported. Objectives: The aims of this study were to establish anatomical landmarks, ultrasonographic technique and normal ultrasonographic appearance of clinically relevant equine lymph nodes difficult to assess by palpation and to provide a useful reference for equine practitioners. Study design: This was prospective observational study. Methods: Medial retropharyngeal, cranial and caudal deep cervical, and caecal lymph nodes were visualised using transcutaneous ultrasonography in 19 clinically healthy horses, and lymph nodes of the iliosacral lymphocentre were visualised using transrectal ultrasonography in nine horses with no metabolic or infectious disorders. Anatomical landmarks, size and echogenicity were recorded. Results: A total of 268 lymph nodes were visualised and measured in 25 horses. Lymph nodes were ovoid with regular contour and homogeneous parenchyma, hypoechoic to isoechoic to the surrounding tissue. The visualised lymph nodes of the sacroiliac lymphocentre were the smallest (mean ± standard deviation: 2.4 ± 0.9 × 5.9 ± 1.8 mm), and the largest were the caudal deep cervical lymph nodes (mean ± standard deviation: 5.1 ± 1.9 × 10.9 ± 5.6 mm). The short‐to‐long‐axis ratio varied from 0.44 to 0.60 among the lymph nodes examined. Main limitations: Normality of lymph nodes was not confirmed by histopathology. Conclusions: This study describes the ultrasonographic technique, anatomical landmarks and appearance of presumptively normal medial retropharyngeal, cranial and caudal deep cervical, caecal lymph nodes and caudal lymph nodes of the iliosacral lymphocentre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 15‐year‐old pony was presented for acute neurological signs. Neurological examination suggested a brainstem lesion, blood laboratory tests detected an active inflammatory process, and upper respiratory endoscopy identified a suppurative lesion at the dorsal aspect of the right guttural pouch. Computed tomography was performed and findings were consistent with pituitary abscess, meningitis, and atlanto‐occipital joint septic arthritis. Imaging findings were confirmed based on cerebrospinal and synovial fluid cultures and necropsy. Computed tomography provided important information for identifying the cause of the patient's neurological signs and helped the owner make a final decision for euthanasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common pharyngeal neoplasm but is poorly documented with diagnostic imaging in veterinary literature. Objectives: To describe the diagnostic imaging findings in horses with confirmed pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Study design: Retrospective case series. Methods: Horses with a definitive diagnosis of pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma based on in situ biopsy and/or cytology were identified in 2 different centres. Multi‐modality imaging findings are reported. Results: Six equids were included. On radiographic examination, increased pharyngeal opacity and reduction of pharyngeal lumen were observed in all horses, centred on the oropharynx (three cases), the laryngopharynx (two cases) or the nasopharynx (one case). A clearly delineated mass was visualised in four cases. Additional radiographic findings were border effacement of the epiglottis (5/6) or soft palate (3/6), thickening of the pharyngeal walls (4/6) or soft palate (3/6) and suspected retropharyngeal lymphadenomegaly (3/6). Ultrasonography was useful to highlight retropharyngeal (4/6) and mandibular (4/6) lymphadenopathy suggestive of metastatic dissemination. Computed tomographic images were available for two horses and detected bone lysis not visible on radiographs. Main limitations: The number of cases was low, and computed tomography was not realised in all cases. Conclusions: Findings support the usefulness of radiography and ultrasonography in horses with suspected pharyngeal neoplasia for a first‐line imaging diagnosis, in particular when endoscopy is impaired by a mass effect or dyspnoea. Computed tomography gives a more accurate assessment of bone involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lesions of the manica flexoria are a tenoscopic finding in horses with digital flexor tendon sheath tenosynovitis. This retrospective case series study describes the ultrasonographic findings in seven horses admitted for digital flexor tendon sheath swelling associated with lameness and tenoscopic confirmation of a manica flexoria tear. Six horses had a partial manica flexoria tear, one a complete rupture. The ultrasonographic examination included a static examination on the weight and non‐weight bearing limb and a dynamic limb assessment during flexion and extension. The main ultrasonographic finding at the static weight bearing examination in horses with a partial tear was an asymmetrical appearance of the manica flexoria at the level of the junction with the lateral border of the superficial digital flexor tendon, or an incomplete visualization of the manica flexoria in case of complete rupture. The split edges of the completed ruptured manica flexoria were seen floating in the synovial fluid at the examination in flexion. In six of seven cases, the superficial digital flexor tendon slid abnormally relative to the deep digital flexor tendon, during flexion/extension movements, with medial displacement of the superficial digital flexor tendon, appearance of an anechoic gap between the flexor tendons or reduced superficial digital flexor tendon sliding. Because ultrasonographic diagnosis of the manica flexoria tear is considered challenging, detection of these ultrasonographic features is helpful to increase the likelihood of identifying manica flexoria tears prior to tenoscopy. Authors recommend static ultrasonographic examination of the manica flexoria using a flexed limb position and dynamic ultrasonographic examination using flexion and extension positioning for horses with suspected digital sheath injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]