⎯ Curragh Equine Diagnostics
Nuclear Scintigraphy
Equine nuclear scintigraphy at the Curragh — a joint venture between Sycamore Lodge and Anglesey Lodge — using the Equine Scanner H.R‑SCINTRON from MIE to map active bone remodelling across the entire skeleton.
⎯ How It Works
A whole‑body map of metabolic activity.
Nuclear scintigraphy is an advanced diagnostic imaging modality used in the investigation of equine lameness and poor performance. A radioactive isotope — Technetium‑99m — is injected intravenously and binds to bone undergoing active remodelling, producing characteristic hot spots.
A gamma camera captures the emitted radiation to build an image of the entire equine skeleton. A whole‑body scan typically takes 2–3 hours, and the major advantage is the ability to detect bone injury weeks before it becomes visible on radiographs.
2–3h
Whole‑body scan time
72h
Stabled stay on site
1st
To detect early hairline fractures
The scanner
Equine Scanner H.R‑SCINTRON by MIE — cutting‑edge digital data, image acquisition and processing for the most accurate identification of increased metabolic activity in soft tissue and skeletal anatomy.
⎯ When we use it
When the source of pain stays hidden.
Scintigraphy plays a central role in our orthopaedic and poor‑performance work‑ups — particularly in the thoroughbred athlete, and in cases where conventional imaging has come up short.
Multi‑limb lameness
Suspected stress / hairline fractures (cannon, tibia, pelvis)
Lameness localised by nerve blocks — unremarkable on imaging
Lameness where nerve blocks cannot isolate the source
Low‑grade or intermittent lameness
Areas hard to image on x‑ray (neck, back, pelvis)
Poor performance after medical causes excluded
Re‑evaluation of healing fracture sites
⎯ What to Expect
Before & After Your Scan.
From arrival to discharge, every stage of the bonescan is run by dedicated staff inside a stand‑alone biosecure facility at Sycamore Lodge.
Arrival
Drop the horse off no later than 9.00am on the scheduled day, or the day prior if more suitable — please coordinate with reception. The scan is performed under standing sedation, so feed as normal.
✓No fasting required
✓Bandage all four legs the night before
✓Rug overnight — warmer horse means better isotope uptake
Preparation
Where there is no overt lameness, the horse is gently lunged before injection (with your permission) to optimise blood flow and isotope distribution. Shoes are removed prior to the scan.
✓Lungeing with consent
✓Shoes off pre‑scan
✓Standing sedation throughout
Injection & scan
Technetium‑99m is administered intravenously and accumulates in areas of active bone remodelling. The gamma camera then captures whole‑body images — usually 2–3 hours of acquisition.
✓Whole‑body or regional protocols
✓MIE H.R‑SCINTRON acquisition
✓Standing sedation, minimal stress
Stay & discharge
Under radiation safety regulations the horse remains in our biosecure unit for 48 hours post‑scan. Images are then processed, interpreted and discussed with your referring vet before discharge.
✓Purpose‑built stand‑alone facility
✓Dedicated staff from both hospitals
✓Findings shared with your vet
⎯ Before you arrive
A short list, for the best possible scan.
Bandage the night before
All four legs bandaged overnight before transport to protect limbs and aid circulation.
Keep the horse warm
Rug overnight — better blood flow improves isotope uptake and final image quality.
Feed as normal
Standing sedation is used, so there is no need to starve the horse before the scan.
Keep them in work
Providing there is no overt lameness, maintain the usual exercise routine until the scan.