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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Intern Med / Computed tomographic cervical myelography in horses: Techniq...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2020; 34(5); 2142-2151; doi: 10.1111/jvim.15848

Computed tomographic cervical myelography in horses: Technique and findings in 51 clinical cases.

Abstract: Three-dimensional computed tomographic (CT) evaluation of the cervical vertebral column enables more accurate identification of osseous and soft tissue lesions than traditional latero-lateral radiography. However, examination of the complete cervical vertebral column has been limited by horse size, preventing evaluation of the caudal cervical vertebrae. Objective: To describe a technique to enable CT myelography of the complete cervical spine and describe the findings in 51 horses. Methods: Records of 51 horses presented for evaluation of cervical vertebral lesions. Methods: A retrospective review of clinical records from all horses presented for CT myelography to further investigate possible cervical vertebral lesions was performed. A description of a novel approach to CT myelography in horses and retrospective review of the findings in clinical cases has been included. Results: Degenerative joint disease was identified at 1 or more dorsal articular process joint in 50/51 horses, of which 44/51 had a site of grade 2 or greater. Spinal cord compression was observed on CT myelography in 31/51 horses, whereas attenuation of the dorsal contrast column was identified radiographically in 11/50 horses. Thirty-three horses showed narrowing or obliteration of the intervertebral foramina at 1 or more site and osteochondral fragments were seen in 11/51 horses. Conclusions: Computed tomography myelography is relatively safe and an easily performed technique with the correct equipment, enabling evaluation of the cervical vertebral structures of horses in all planes and volumetrically. It is possible that lesion extent might be underestimated with this diagnostic modality, hence interpretation should be complimented with flexed and extended views radiographically.
© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2020-07-24 PubMed ID: 32705729PubMed Central: PMC7517850DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15848Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

This research describes a new approach to conducting Computed Tomographic (CT) myelography on horses for a more accurate identification of cervical vertebral lesions. Through this method, assessments of the complete cervical spine were performed in 51 horses, observing various degree of conditions like degenerative joint disease, spinal cord compression, and more.

Methods

  • The researchers carried out a retrospective review of clinical records from all the horses that underwent CT myelography as part of their cervical vertebral lesions investigation process.
  • The study also included an illustrative description of a novel approach to CT myelography that is uniquely adapted for horses.

Findings

  • Out of the 51 horses, degenerative joint disease was found in 50 at one or more dorsal articular process joints. Furthermore, 44 out of these 51 had a grade 2 or higher condition.
  • CT myelography revealed spinal cord compression in 31 out of 51 horses, while dorsal contrast column attenuation was radiographically identified in 11 out of 50 horses.
  • 33 horses showed evidence of narrowing or obliteration of the intervertebral foramina at one or more sites, and osteochondral fragments were seen in 11 of the 51 horses.

Conclusion

  • The study suggests that computed tomography myelography serves as a relatively safe and easily performed technique for the evaluation of the cervical vertebral structures of horses.
  • With the correct equipment, it allows comprehensive assessment in all planes, including volumetric analysis.
  • However, the research also implies that this diagnostic modality might underestimate the extent of the lesions, recommending the interpretation should be complemented with flexed and extended view radiographs.

Cite This Article

APA
Gough SL, Anderson JDC, Dixon JJ. (2020). Computed tomographic cervical myelography in horses: Technique and findings in 51 clinical cases. J Vet Intern Med, 34(5), 2142-2151. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15848

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 34
Issue: 5
Pages: 2142-2151

Researcher Affiliations

Gough, Sarah L
  • Rainbow Equine Hospital, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
Anderson, Jonathan D C
  • Rainbow Equine Hospital, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
Dixon, Jonathon J
  • Rainbow Equine Hospital, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horses
  • Myelography / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Spinal Cord Compression / veterinary
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 9 times.
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