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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(4); 667; doi: 10.3390/ani10040667

A Radiographic Technique for Assessment of Morphologic Variations of the Equine Caudal Cervical Spine.

Abstract: Equine Caudal Cervical Morphologic Variation (ECCMV) is a congenital malformation of the caudal cervical spine distinct from the more commonly recognized Cervical Vertebral Stenotic Myelopathy (CVSM). The most common presentation of ECCMV is recognized on the sixth cervical vertebra (C6). In "normal" presentations, the transverse processes on the left and right sides have a caudal lamina projecting ventrally below the caudal vertebral body in a heel shape. With ECCMV, variations occur to the structure of the caudal ventral lamina on one or both sides of C6 and may include the seventh cervical (C7) and first thoracic (T1) vertebrae and ribs, in varying configurations. Whereas the prevalence of ECCMV is not known, it has been recognized for many years and has been reported to occur with relatively high frequency within multiple populations of domesticated horses. To date, there is no documented link between the occurrence of ECCMV and clinical signs. However, based on retrospective studies, multiple authors have recognized the potential impact on performance that this condition may have. Establishing a reliable radiographic protocol for the consistent diagnosis of ECCMV would allow quantitative, scientific evaluation of the problem and support clinicians working in this field. We present a radiographic technique, which has been illustrated by diagnosis of ECCMV in three horses and confirmation of the diagnoses in two cases via postmortem examination.
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Publication Date: 2020-04-12 PubMed ID: 32290538PubMed Central: PMC7222808DOI: 10.3390/ani10040667Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article is about a study on a novel radiographic technique for diagnosing Equine Caudal Cervical Morphologic Variation (ECCMV), a congenital spine disorder seen in horses. The researchers demonstrate the effectiveness of this technique through its application in three case studies and verify its accuracy through postmortem examinations.

Introduction to Equine Caudal Cervical Morphologic Variation (ECCMV)

  • ECCMV is a hereditary disorder in horses that affects the structure of the caudal cervical spine. While it is not as common as Cervical Vertebral Stenotic Myelopathy (CVSM), it does occur relatively frequently within certain populations of domesticated horses.
  • The most common area of occurrence for ECCMV is the sixth cervical vertebra (C6). In a typical spinal structure, the transverse processes found on both sides of the sixth vertebra possess a distinctive heel-like shape, created by a caudal lamina that projects ventrally below the caudal vertebral body.
  • ECCMV is characterized by variations in this structure, specifically, in the caudal ventral lamina of one or both sides of the sixth cervical vertebra. These variations can also involve the seventh cervical vertebra (C7), the first thoracic vertebra (T1), and the ribs, in various configurations.

Understanding the Clinical Implications of ECCMV

  • The clinical implications of ECCMV are not well known, as there is no established link between its occurrence and clinical symptoms within the affected population.
  • Despite this, some retrospective studies have suggested that the condition may affect the performance of the animals. Therefore, reliable diagnostic methods are required to allow proper scientific evaluation of the issue.

Proposing a Radiographic Technique for Diagnosing ECCMV

  • This research proposes a novel radiographic technique as a reliable method for diagnosing ECCMV. It aims to provide a consistent and quantitative means of identifying the disorder and aid clinicians working in the field.
  • The authors demonstrated the usability of this technique through its application in diagnosing ECCMV in three horses.
  • The accuracy of the diagnoses was further verified through postmortem examinations in two of the cases.

Conclusion

  • The study highlights the potential utility of the proposed radiographic technique in providing a robust and reliable means of diagnosing ECCMV, which could potentially support further research on the condition, contributing to a better understanding of its implications and providing direction for designing appropriate interventions.

Cite This Article

APA
Gee C, Small A, Shorter K, Brown WY. (2020). A Radiographic Technique for Assessment of Morphologic Variations of the Equine Caudal Cervical Spine. Animals (Basel), 10(4), 667. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10040667

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 4
PII: 667

Researcher Affiliations

Gee, Christine
  • Canine and Equine Research Group, University of New England, Armidale 2351, NSW, Australia.
Small, Alison
  • Canine and Equine Research Group, University of New England, Armidale 2351, NSW, Australia.
  • Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, New England Highway, Armidale 2350, NSW, Australia.
Shorter, Kathleen
  • Canine and Equine Research Group, University of New England, Armidale 2351, NSW, Australia.
Brown, Wendy Y
  • Canine and Equine Research Group, University of New England, Armidale 2351, NSW, Australia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
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