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BMC veterinary research2019; 15(1); 296; doi: 10.1186/s12917-019-2047-x

Comparison of the clinical and radiographic appearance of the cervical vertebrae with histological and anatomical findings in an eight-month old warmblood stallion suffering from cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM).

Abstract: Cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM) remains one of the most important abnormalities of the cervical spine resulting in neurological deficits in horses. The aim of the following study was to compare the results of the clinical and neurological examination, the results of myelography and the post mortem anatomical and histological appearance of the spinal cord and cervical vertebrae in a horse with CVSM. Methods: The following study describes a clinical case of an eight-month-old stallion with ataxia. Plain cervical radiographs indicated narrowing of the spinal canal. Conservative therapy using NSAIDs did not result in any improvement in the gait of the horse. Due to economic constraints, surgical intervention was excluded. The owner chose to humanely euthanise the horse. Immediately after euthanasia, post mortem myelography was performed, and measurements of the myelographic dye column were taken. They revealed a 67% DMC reduction and a 64% DD reduction at the C3/C4 level. Afterwards, an anatomical dissection was performed. The cervical vertebrae and vertebral canal were macroscopically inspected and measured and indicated a 44% narrowing of the canal at the C3/C4 level. The spinal cord was removed and underwent histological evaluation after staining. Microscopic lesions were visible at the level of the compression and included axonal degeneration with partial or complete loss of myelin in the white matter of the lateral and dorsal funiculi as well as the formation of dysfunctional so-called "spongy structures". An increase in the number of microglial cells and collagen was also observed. The formation of glial scars was excluded. Immunohistochemical studies revealed a negative transmembrane glycoprotein CD68(-) - monocyte response and a negative tumor necrosis alpha TNFα (-) reaction. Conclusions: CVSM may be difficult to diagnose, even for experienced veterinary surgeons. Currently, an ex vivo histopathologic examination of the spinal cord is thought to be the gold standard in the diagnosis of CVSM. Our histological examination revealed no CVSM-specific glial scar formation and a CD68(-) negative and TNF-α negative reaction, which have not been previously reported. Histological lesions in CVSM may vary depending show inter-individual variability and on the treatment, which further hinders ex-vivo diagnostics.
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Publication Date: 2019-08-15 PubMed ID: 31416466PubMed Central: PMC6694563DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2047-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 article is a study on an eight-month-old stallion suffering from Cervical Vertebral Stenotic Myelopathy (CVSM), where the clinical and radiographic appearance of the cervical vertebrae was compared with histological and anatomical findings.

Study Overview

  • This research focuses on the diagnosis and findings of Cervical Vertebral Stenotic Myelopathy (CVSM), a significant ailment in horses causing neurological deficits.
  • The objective was to compare clinical and neurological exam results, myelography outcomes, and post-mortem anatomical and histological appearances of the spinal cord and cervical vertebrae in a horse with CVSM.

Methodology and Case Description

  • The study involves a case of an eight-month-old stallion diagnosed with ataxia, and radiographs showed a narrowing of the spinal canal.
  • Unsuccessful conservative therapy led the owner to choose euthanasia. Post-mortem myelography was executed, revealing a decrease in the dye column measurements.
  • An anatomical dissection revealed a marked narrowing of the vertebral canal. Further histological evaluation of the spinal cord showed visible microscopic lesions at the compression level.

Observations and Findings

  • The lesions included axonal degeneration, partial or complete loss of myelin, and the formation of dysfuntional “spongy structures”. The presence of more microglial cells and collagen was noticed, while glial scar formation was absent.
  • An immunohistochemical study showed no response for transmembrane glycoprotein CD68 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNFα), which were responses not reported previously.

Conclusion

  • Diagnosing CVSM remains challenging, even for experienced veterinary surgeons. As of now, an ex-vivo histopathologic examination of the spinal cord is deemed the most reliable diagnosis method.
  • It was observed that not having CVSM-specific glial scar formation and a lack of response for CD68 and TNF-α shed new light on the disease.
  • These results suggest significant inter-individual variability in CVSM and the impact of treatments affecting diagnostic outcomes.

Cite This Article

APA
Szklarz M, Lipinska A, Slowikowska M, Niedzwiedz A, Marycz K, Janeczek M. (2019). Comparison of the clinical and radiographic appearance of the cervical vertebrae with histological and anatomical findings in an eight-month old warmblood stallion suffering from cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM). BMC Vet Res, 15(1), 296. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-019-2047-x

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Pages: 296
PII: 296

Researcher Affiliations

Szklarz, Magdalena
  • Department of Animal Physiology and Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ul Kozuchowska 1/3, 51-631 Wroclaw, Wrocław, Poland. magdalena.szklarz@upwr.edu.pl.
Lipinska, Anna
  • Department of Animal Physiology and Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ul Kozuchowska 1/3, 51-631 Wroclaw, Wrocław, Poland.
Slowikowska, Malwina
  • Department of Internal Diseases with Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, Wroclaw Univeristy of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Pl. Grunwaldzki 47, 50-366 Wroclaw, Wrocław, Poland.
Niedzwiedz, Artur
  • Department of Internal Diseases with Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, Wroclaw Univeristy of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Pl. Grunwaldzki 47, 50-366 Wroclaw, Wrocław, Poland.
Marycz, Krzysztof
  • Department of Experimental Biology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Animal Science, ul Norwida 27B, 50-375, Wrocław, Poland.
Janeczek, Maciej
  • Department of Animal Physiology and Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ul Kozuchowska 1/3, 51-631 Wroclaw, Wrocław, Poland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Ataxia / etiology
  • Ataxia / pathology
  • Ataxia / veterinary
  • Cervical Vertebrae / pathology
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / veterinary
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / veterinary
  • Spinal Stenosis / pathology
  • Spinal Stenosis / surgery
  • Spinal Stenosis / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Kondo T, Mashimo Y, Sato F, Tsuzuki N, Yamada K. Investigation of a contributing factor for cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy using computed tomography for measuring the cervical vertebral volume. J Vet Med Sci 2022 Aug 1;84(8):1084-1087.
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  2. 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.
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  3. 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.
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  4. England D, Newsom L, White C, McKenzie E. Retrospective radiographic myelogram measurements and long-term outcomes in horses undergoing cervical interbody fusion surgery: 22 cases. PLoS One 2025;20(5):e0323083.
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