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Equine veterinary journal2011; 44(2); 178-184; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00373.x

Close, impinging and overriding spinous processes in the thoracolumbar spine: the relationship between radiological and scintigraphic findings and clinical signs.

Abstract: There has been no objective study comparing radiological features of spinous processes (SPs) in the thoracolumbar region and/or scintigraphic findings with clinical signs. Objective: To investigate the relationship between the presence or absence of clinical signs of back pain and: 1) radiological findings of close, impinging or overriding SPs; 2) increased radiopharmaceutical uptake (IRU) in the SPs; and 3) the combination of radiological findings and IRU. Also to determine the prevalence of concurrent osseous pathology. Methods: Five-hundred and eighty-two horses, presented for perceived back pain and poor performance, underwent comprehensive clinical investigation including diagnostic analgesia of the forelimbs, hindlimbs, back and sacroiliac joints, and radiographic and scintigraphic evaluation of the thoracolumbar spine. Radiological and scintigraphic grades were determined subjectively. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the relationships between clinical signs of back pain, radiological and scintigraphic features, age, breed, gender, discipline, height and weight. Results: Thoroughbreds (TBs) were over-represented with thoracolumbar pain compared with Warmbloods and TB cross breeds. There was a significant association between maximum and total radiological grades of the SPs and thoracolumbar pain, between maximum and total grades of IRU and thoracolumbar pain, and between a combination of radiological and scintigraphic abnormalities and thoracolumbar pain. Horses with osteoarthritis (OA) of the synovial intervertebral articulations (SIAs) were more likely to have thoracolumbar pain than horses with lesions of the SPs alone, but the presence of OA of the SIAs and lesions of the SPs was associated with the highest likelihood of thoracolumbar pain. Conclusions: Fore- or hindlimb lameness and/or pain associated with the sacroiliac joints could mimic primary thoracolumbar pain. A combination of radiology and scintigraphy gives the most accurate prediction of thoracolumbar pain, but diagnostic analgesia is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
© 2011 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2011-09-01 PubMed ID: 21880062DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00373.xGoogle 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.

The research paper examines the relationship between back pain in horses and specific spino-lumbar conditions detected by radiology and scintigraphy. The comprehensive study also determines the prevalence of concurrent skeletal pathology within the animals.

Research Objective and Method

  • The principal objective of this research was to investigate the correlation between clinical signs of back pain in horses and specific radiological findings. These findings include detection of closely placed, impinging or overriding spinous processes (SPs), detection of increased radiopharmaceutical uptake (IRU) in the SPs, and finally a combination of both the radiological findings and IRU.
  • The study aimed to determine the prevalence of concurrent osseous (bone) pathologies occurring simultaneously with the SP conditions.
  • The comprehensive study involved 582 horses presented with perceived back pain and poor performance. They underwent detailed clinical investigation including pain relief therapy testing on the forelimbs, hindlimbs, back and sacroiliac joints.
  • Both radiographic and scintigraphic examinations of the thoracolumbar spine (the part of the spine that extends from the bottom of the ribs to the small of the back) were carried out.

Results

  • Findings revealed a higher representation of Thoroughbred horses with thoracolumbar pain as compared to Warmbloods and Thoroughbred crossbreeds.
  • The research showed significant associations between the severity and extent of thoracolumbar pain and radiological grades of the SPs, grades of IRU, and a combination of both.
  • Horses with osteoarthritis (OA) in the synovial intervertebral articulations (SIAs)—the joints between the vertebrae—were more susceptible to thoracolumbar pain. This was especially true when OA was present along with lesions of the SPs.

Conclusions

  • This study indicates that pain in the fore or hindlimbs and/or pain linked to the sacroiliac joints can mimic primary thoracolumbar pain, confusing identification of the primary source of back pain for the horse.
  • Thus, employing a combination of radiology and scintigraphy aids accurate prediction of thoracolumbar pain. However, the study also stresses the importance of diagnostic analgesia for precise diagnosis of the pain source.

Cite This Article

APA
Zimmerman M, Dyson S, Murray R. (2011). Close, impinging and overriding spinous processes in the thoracolumbar spine: the relationship between radiological and scintigraphic findings and clinical signs. Equine Vet J, 44(2), 178-184. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00373.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 44
Issue: 2
Pages: 178-184

Researcher Affiliations

Zimmerman, M
  • Centre for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, UK.
Dyson, S
    Murray, R

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Back Pain / diagnostic imaging
      • Back Pain / veterinary
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
      • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
      • Horse Diseases / pathology
      • Horses
      • Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology
      • Male
      • Radiography
      • Radionuclide Imaging / veterinary
      • Spinal Diseases / diagnostic imaging
      • Spinal Diseases / veterinary
      • Spine / diagnostic imaging
      • Thoracic Vertebrae / pathology

      Citations

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