ANATOMICAL STUDY OF CRANIAL NERVE EMERGENCE AND SKULL FORAMINA IN THE HORSE USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY.
Abstract: For accurate interpretation of magnetic resonance (MR) images of the equine brain, knowledge of the normal cross-sectional anatomy of the brain and associated structures (such as the cranial nerves) is essential. The purpose of this prospective cadaver study was to describe and compare MRI and computed tomography (CT) anatomy of cranial nerves' origins and associated skull foramina in a sample of five horses. All horses were presented for euthanasia for reasons unrelated to the head. Heads were collected posteuthanasia and T2-weighted MR images were obtained in the transverse, sagittal, and dorsal planes. Thin-slice MR sequences were also acquired using transverse 3D-CISS sequences that allowed mutliplanar reformatting. Transverse thin-slice CT images were acquired and multiplanar reformatting was used to create comparative images. Magnetic resonance imaging consistently allowed visualization of cranial nerves II, V, VII, VIII, and XII in all horses. The cranial nerves III, IV, and VI were identifiable as a group despite difficulties in identification of individual nerves. The group of cranial nerves IX, X, and XI were identified in 4/5 horses although the region where they exited the skull was identified in all cases. The course of nerves II and V could be followed on several slices and the main divisions of cranial nerve V could be distinguished in all cases. In conclusion, CT allowed clear visualization of the skull foramina and occasionally the nerves themselves, facilitating identification of the nerves for comparison with MRI images.
© 2015 American College of Veterinary Radiology.
Publication Date: 2015-04-02 PubMed ID: 25832323DOI: 10.1111/vru.12256Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research studied the anatomy of cranial nerves in horses using MRI and CT technologies. The researchers aimed to accurately interpret images of the equine brain to provide a clearer understanding of its normal structure and associated elements such as cranial nerves.
Research Objective
- The primary objective of this study was to detail the anatomy of cranial nerves’ origins and their association with skull openings in horses. Utilizing MRI and CT imaging, the study attempted to provide a comprehensive understanding of the equine brain’s normal cross-sectional anatomy and certain associated structures, mainly the cranial nerves.
Methodology
- For the study, five horses that were presented for euthanasia for unrelated reasons were selected. MR images of their heads were collected post-euthanasia in different planes.
- The researchers obtained T2-weighted MR images in transverse, sagittal, and dorsal planes and used 3D-CISS sequences to acquire thin-slice MR images that facilitated multiplanar reformatting.
- For CT imaging, transverse thin-slice images were acquired, and multiplanar reformatting was accordingly performed to create comparative images.
Key Observations
- Cranial nerves II, V, VII, VIII, and XII were consistently visualized in all horses through MRI. Although pinpointing individual structures for cranial nerves III, IV, and VI was challenging, they were identifiable as a group.
- The group of cranial nerves IX, X, and XI was identified in 4 out of the 5 horses. However, the region where these nerves exited the skull was identified in all cases.
- The MRI scans enabled tracking the route of nerves II and V across various slices, and the major divisions of cranial nerve V were distinguishable in all cases.
Conclusion
- The research concluded that CT imaging facilitated a clearer visualization of skull foramina and occasionally the nerves themselves. This helped in the identification and comparison of the nerves with the MRI images, contributing to a broader understanding of the equine cranial nerve anatomy.
Cite This Article
APA
Gonçalves R, Malalana F, McConnell JF, Maddox T.
(2015).
ANATOMICAL STUDY OF CRANIAL NERVE EMERGENCE AND SKULL FORAMINA IN THE HORSE USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 56(4), 391-397.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.12256 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Science, Small Animal Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK.
- Department of Veterinary Science, Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK.
- Department of Veterinary Science, Small Animal Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK.
- Department of Veterinary Science, Small Animal Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Abducens Nerve / anatomy & histology
- Abducens Nerve / diagnostic imaging
- Accessory Nerve / anatomy & histology
- Accessory Nerve / diagnostic imaging
- Anatomy, Cross-Sectional
- Animals
- Brain / anatomy & histology
- Brain / diagnostic imaging
- Cadaver
- Cranial Nerves / anatomy & histology
- Cranial Nerves / diagnostic imaging
- Facial Nerve / anatomy & histology
- Facial Nerve / diagnostic imaging
- Glossopharyngeal Nerve / anatomy & histology
- Glossopharyngeal Nerve / diagnostic imaging
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Hypoglossal Nerve / anatomy & histology
- Hypoglossal Nerve / diagnostic imaging
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
- Oculomotor Nerve / anatomy & histology
- Oculomotor Nerve / diagnostic imaging
- Optic Nerve / anatomy & histology
- Optic Nerve / radiation effects
- Prospective Studies
- Skull / anatomy & histology
- Skull / diagnostic imaging
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
- Trigeminal Nerve / anatomy & histology
- Trigeminal Nerve / diagnostic imaging
- Trochlear Nerve / anatomy & histology
- Trochlear Nerve / diagnostic imaging
- Vagus Nerve / anatomy & histology
- Vagus Nerve / diagnostic imaging
- Vestibulocochlear Nerve / anatomy & histology
- Vestibulocochlear Nerve / diagnostic imaging
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Barillaro G, Marcianò A, Costa S, Marino M, Minniti S, Interlandi CD, Spadola F. Study of the Skull and Brain in a Cape Genet (Genetta tigrina) Using Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Animals (Basel) 2025 Dec 4;15(23).
- Heun F, Delarocque J, Feige K, Hellige M. Trigeminal Nerve Asymmetry in Horses With Idiopathic Trigeminal-Mediated Headshaking: A Retrospective Case-Control Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study. J Vet Intern Med 2025 Sep-Oct;39(5):e70196.
- Kutara K, Kadekaru S, Sugisawa R, Une Y. Pyogenic meningitis and trigeminal neuritis secondary to periodontogenic paranasal sinusitis in a red deer (Cervus elaphus). J Vet Med Sci 2021 Jun 9;83(6):947-951.
- Boorman S, Scherrer NM, Stefanovski D, Johnson AL. Facial nerve paralysis in 64 equids: Clinical variables, diagnosis, and outcome. J Vet Intern Med 2020 May;34(3):1308-1320.
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