A study conducted by researchers at the University of Montreal has revealed that ultrasonography is more effective than radiography for detecting rib fractures in foals, and that the fracture rate is higher than previously reported.

Researchers performed physical, radiographic, and ultrasonographic examinations on 29 Thoroughbred foals admitted to an emergency unit for reasons other than thoracic trauma, and they found that 19 (69%) had at least one rib fracture. As well as finding fractures in 82% of the foals that looked normal on X rays, ultrasonography enabled the researchers to identify additional rib abnormalities not visible on radiographs.

"Ultrasonography is more sensitive than radiography in the detection of rib trauma, justifying its routine use, and it should be considered as the gold standard technique in diagnosing rib fractures in neonatal foals," the researchers noted.

The researchers stated that ultrasonography’s increased sensitivity allows better visualization of nondisplaced fractures, as well as fractures occurring in the costochondral junction (the junction between the bony and cartilaginous portions of the rib). Also, they noted the presence of overlying lung changes on radiographs might hamper the detection of rib fractures