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Home / Equine Research Bank / Can Vet J / Atlanto-axial approach for cervical myelography in a Thoroug...
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2014; 55(11); 1069-1073;

Atlanto-axial approach for cervical myelography in a Thoroughbred horse with complete fusion of the atlanto-occipital bones.

Abstract: A 2-year-old Thoroughbred gelding with clinical signs localized to the first 6 spinal cord segments (C1 to C6) had complete fusion of the atlanto-occipital bones which precluded performing a routine myelogram. An ultrasound-assisted myelogram at the intervertebral space between the atlas and axis was successfully done and identified a marked extradural compressive myelopathy at the level of the atlas and axis, and axis and third cervical vertebrae. Un hongre Thoroughbred âgé de 2 ans avec des signes cliniques localisés aux 6 premiers segments de la colonne vertébrale (C1 à C6) avait une fusion complète des os occipito-atloïdiens qui empêchait la réalisation d’un myélogramme de routine. Un myélogramme par échographie à l’espace intervertébral entre l’atlas et l’axis a été réalisé avec succès et a identifié une myélopathie extradurale compressive prononcée au niveau de l’atlas et de l’axis ainsi que de l’axis et de la troisième vertèbre cervicale.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).
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Publication Date: 2014-11-14 PubMed ID: 25392550PubMed Central: PMC4204838
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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.

The research describes a novel method for performing a myelogram in a horse with complete fusion of the atlanto-occipital bones. Using ultrasound assistance at the intervertebral space, the team was able to diagnose a compressive myelopathy.

Background

  • The subject of the study is a 2-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, a breed of horse, that presented signs localized to the first 6 spinal cord segments, known as C1 to C6.
  • This horse had complete fusion of the atlanto-occipital bones, making standard myelography procedures impossible. Myelography is a type of radiographic examination that uses a contrast medium to detect pathology of the spinal cord.

Methodology

  • The researchers decided to conduct a myelogram, with the assistance of an ultrasound, at the intervertebral space between the atlas and axis, two of the spinal bones in the horse’s neck.
  • Intervertebral spaces are the gaps left between the bodies of the vertebrae through which spinal nerves leave the spinal cord. In this case, the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) are the first two cervical vertebras located close to the horse’s skull.

Findings

  • Through this unconventional procedure, the team successfully identified a marked extradural compressive myelopathy at the level of the atlas and axis, and axis and third cervical vertebrae.
  • An extradural compressive myelopathy is a serious condition where external pressure is put on the spinal cord, potentially leading to neurological symptoms or paralysis if left untreated. Marked indicates a significant or noticeable degree of this condition.

Conclusion

  • This successful diagnosis in a challenging scenario highlights the potential use of ultrasound-assisted myelograms in veterinary medicine, particularly when traditional methods cannot be used.
  • The ability to locate the pathology accurately allowed for the appropriate treatment, improving the chances of recovery for the horse.

Cite This Article

APA
Aleman M, Dimock AN, Wisner ER, Prutton JW, Madigan JE. (2014). Atlanto-axial approach for cervical myelography in a Thoroughbred horse with complete fusion of the atlanto-occipital bones. Can Vet J, 55(11), 1069-1073.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 11
Pages: 1069-1073

Researcher Affiliations

Aleman, Monica
  • Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology (Aleman, Madigan), Surgical and Radiological Sciences (Wisner), and The William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (Dimock, Prutton), School of Veterinary Medicine; University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Dimock, Abigail N
  • Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology (Aleman, Madigan), Surgical and Radiological Sciences (Wisner), and The William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (Dimock, Prutton), School of Veterinary Medicine; University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Wisner, Erik R
  • Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology (Aleman, Madigan), Surgical and Radiological Sciences (Wisner), and The William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (Dimock, Prutton), School of Veterinary Medicine; University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Prutton, Jamie W
  • Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology (Aleman, Madigan), Surgical and Radiological Sciences (Wisner), and The William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (Dimock, Prutton), School of Veterinary Medicine; University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Madigan, John E
  • Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology (Aleman, Madigan), Surgical and Radiological Sciences (Wisner), and The William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (Dimock, Prutton), School of Veterinary Medicine; University of California, Davis, California, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Atlanto-Occipital Joint
  • Cervical Vertebrae
  • Euthanasia, Animal
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Myelography / methods
  • Myelography / veterinary
  • Pedigree
  • Spinal Stenosis / diagnosis
  • Spinal Stenosis / veterinary

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Kondo T, Sato F, Tsuzuki N, Watanabe K, Horiuchi N, Kobayashi Y, Yamada K. Characteristic computed tomographic myelography findings in 23 Thoroughbred horses.. J Vet Med Sci 2022 Apr 13;84(4):525-532.
    doi: 10.1292/jvms.22-0036pubmed: 35197397google scholar: lookup
  2. Kondo T, Sato F, Tsuzuki N, Chen CJ, Yamada K. An objective index for spinal cord compression on computed tomography in Thoroughbred horses.. Vet Med Sci 2022 May;8(3):1072-1078.
    doi: 10.1002/vms3.767pubmed: 35152552google scholar: lookup
  3. Yamada K, Sato F, Hada T, Horiuchi N, Ikeda H, Nishihara K, Sasaki N, Kobayashi Y, Nambo Y. Quantitative evaluation of cervical cord compression by computed tomographic myelography in Thoroughbred foals.. J Equine Sci 2016;27(4):143-148.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.27.143pubmed: 27974873google scholar: lookup
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