Age and sex correlate with bony changes and anatomic variations of the lumbosacroiliac region of the vertebral column in a mixed population of horses.
Abstract: To provide a postmortem description of anatomic variations and changes of the lumbosacroiliac region in horses. The authors hypothesized that lesion severity would increase with age and body weight and correlate to anatomic variations. Lumbosacroiliac vertebral specimens from 38 horses (mean age, 16 years; range, 5 to 30 years) that died or were euthanized for reasons unrelated to the study between November 2019 and October 2021. The lumbosacroiliac region of the vertebral column was removed from each cadaver. After dissection, disarticulation, and boiling, the anatomic specimens were examined for anatomic variations and osseous changes of the articular process joints (APJs), intertransverse joints (ITJs), and sacroiliac joints (SIJs). The lengths of L6-S1 intertransverse articular surfaces were measured and their ratios calculated. Descriptive statistics were obtained, and the χ2 test was used to assess differences in anatomic variations and abnormal changes of the APJs, ITJs, and SIJs. The most common anatomic variation was a sacrum-like shape of the transverse processes of L6 (29/38 [76%]) and converging orientation of dorsal spinous process of L6 (33/38 [87%]). The highest prevalence of bony changes was detected at L5-L6 (right, 34/38 [89%]; left, 33/38 [87%]) and L6-S1 APJs (right, 38/38 [100%]; left, 37/38 [97%]) and at SIJs (right, 32/38 [86%]; left, 31/38 [82%]). The shape of L6 transverse processes differed between breed (P = .01) and was associated with presence of L4-L5 ITJs (P < .01). Age and sex were associated with changes of the sacral dorsal spinous processes, ITJs, and APJs. The clinical significance of these findings could not be confirmed based on the study limitations.
Publication Date: 2022-11-08 PubMed ID: 36350755DOI: 10.2460/javma.22.07.0293Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article studies the correlations between age, sex, and anatomical variations in the lumbosacroiliac region of a horse’s vertebral column. The observations were carried out on postmortem specimens and suggest that body weight and age are correlated with the severity of lesions and anatomical variations.
Research Objective and Methodology
- The authors aimed to analyze the lumbosacroiliac vertebral specimens of 38 horses to understand the anatomical variations and the changes that occur in this area. This research is based on the hypothesis that the severity of lesion increases with the age and body weight of the horse, and it is also correlated with anatomical variations.
- The samples were acquired from horses that had died or were euthanized for reasons not related to this research between November 2019 and October 2021.
- The lumbosacroiliac region was removed from each horse cadaver, followed by a dissection, disarticulation, and boiling process. The specimens were then examined for variety in the layout and osseous changes of the three types of joints in the lumbosacroiliac area: The Articular process joints (APJs), Intertransverse joints (ITJs), and Sacroiliac joints (SIJs).
Main Findings and Analysis
- The most prevalent anatomical variations noted in the horses were a sacrum-like shape of transverse processes of the L6 vertebrae (found in 76% of specimens) and a converging orientation of the dorsal spinous process of L6 (found in 87% of specimens).
- The highest prevalence of bone changes was detected in L5-L6 and L6-S1 APJs, and in SIJs of the horses. These are regions of the horse’s spine at the junction between the lumbar spine and the sacrum.
- The research found that the shape of the L6 transverse processes changes between horse breeds and is associated with the presence of L4-L5 ITJs.
- Age and sex were found to be associated with changes in the horse’s sacral dorsal spinous processes, ITJs, and APJs.
- However, due to limitations of the study, the authors could not confirm the clinical significance of these findings.
Cite This Article
APA
Scilimati N, Beccati F, Dall'Aglio C, Di Meo A, Pepe M.
(2022).
Age and sex correlate with bony changes and anatomic variations of the lumbosacroiliac region of the vertebral column in a mixed population of horses.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 261(2), 258-265.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.22.07.0293 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- 1Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
- 1Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
- 2Sport Horse Research Centre, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
- 1Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
- 1Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
- 1Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
- 2Sport Horse Research Centre, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Spine
- Joints
- Sacroiliac Joint
- Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Scilimati N, Angeli G, Di Meo A, Dall'Aglio C, Pepe M, Beccati F. Post-Mortem Computed Tomographic Features of the Most Caudal Lumbar Vertebrae, Anatomical Variations and Acquired Osseous Pathological Changes, in a Mixed Population of Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 19;13(4).
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