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Contrast-enhanced computed tomography and myelography in six horses with cervical stenotic myelopathy.
Abstract: The cervical spines of 6 horses with cervical stenotic myelopathy (CSM) were examined using myelography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). Histopathology of the spinal cord of these horses identified 10 neurologically significant compressive lesions. Myelography and CECT were both able to demonstrate all 10 spinal cord compressive lesions, but myelography falsely identified 2 sites and CECT falsely identified 1 site as compressive lesions of the spinal cord which were not supported by histopathology. Additional qualitative information was obtained by CECT regarding the source, severity and location of spinal cord compression. Computed tomography identified stenosis of the vertebral canal with circumferential loss of contrast agent and documented lateral compressive lesions of the spinal cord due to malformed articular facets. Compression of the peripheral nerve roots by malformed articular facets encroaching on the intervertebral foramen was easily identified by CECT in the axial plane. No compressive lesions were identified in 3 unaffected horses by either method. Minimum sagittal diameter (MSD) values obtained from CECT images were strongly correlated with necropsy measurements, validating CECT as an accurate method of obtaining MSD values. The MSD values in the CSM-affected horses were significantly narrowed (P less than 0.05) from C3C6 regardless of the site of spinal cord compression, when compared with the unaffected controls. This finding supports previous reports suggesting that generalised stenosis of the vertebral canal is an important feature in the pathogenesis of cervical stenotic myelopathy.
Publication Date: 1992-05-01 PubMed ID: 1606933DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1992.tb02814.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research paper investigates the use of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) and myelography in diagnosing cervical stenotic myelopathy (CSM) in horses. Comparisons were made between these imaging techniques and autopsy findings, showing that both were able to identify all significant spinal cord lesions, with some minor inaccuracies. The CECT technique provided additional details regarding the origin, severity, and location of the compression.
Myelography and CECT Results
- The team studied 6 horses diagnosed with Cervical Stenotic Myelopathy (CSM), a condition characterized by neurological symptoms resulting from compression of the spinal cord.
- A total of 10 significant spinal cord compressions were identified through histopathology, with both myelography and CECT successfully detecting all.
- Despite this success, both methods had their limitations. Myelography incorrectly flagged 2 non-existent compressions, while CECT misidentified one.
Additional Information from CECT
- CECT provided additional qualitative data about the origin, intensity, and location of the spinal cord compression.
- This technology identified stenosis (narrowing) of the vertebral canal and documented spinal cord lateral compressions caused by malformed articular facets—a bone condition leading to the compression of nerve roots.
- CECT facilitated the identification of nerve root compression by malformed articular facets in the axial plane, a view along the length of the body.
Control Group and Measurement Validation with CECT
- Control group of 3 unaffected horses were also examined. Neither method recognized compressive lesions in these animals, affirming their healthy status.
- Minimum sagittal diameter (MSD) values derived from CECT correlated highly with autopsy measurements, thus validating the CECT for assessing the MSD values.
- MSD values in CSM-affected horses were statistically shrinked from the position between the third and sixth neck vertebrae (C3C6).
- This shrinkage was consistent regardless of the spinal cord compression site and was noticeably reduced when compared to unaffected horses, affirming previous research that identifies general vertebral canal stenosis as a key factor in CSM.
Cite This Article
APA
Moore BR, Holbrook TC, Stefanacci JD, Reed SM, Tate LP, Menard MC.
(1992).
Contrast-enhanced computed tomography and myelography in six horses with cervical stenotic myelopathy.
Equine Vet J, 24(3), 197-202.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1992.tb02814.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- North Carolina State University, Department of Food Animal and Equine Medicine, Raleigh 27606.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Male
- Myelography / veterinary
- Spinal Cord Compression / diagnostic imaging
- Spinal Cord Compression / etiology
- Spinal Cord Compression / veterinary
- Spinal Stenosis / complications
- Spinal Stenosis / diagnostic imaging
- Spinal Stenosis / veterinary
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Fouquet G, Abbas G, Johnson JP, Pompermayer E, Harel C, Aldous E, Puchalski S, David F. Ultrasound-guided injection technique of the equine cervical nerve roots. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:992208.
- Story MR, Haussler KK, Nout-Lomas YS, Aboellail TA, Kawcak CE, Barrett MF, Frisbie DD, McIlwraith CW. Equine Cervical Pain and Dysfunction: Pathology, Diagnosis and Treatment. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 6;11(2).
- Gough SL, Anderson JDC, Dixon JJ. Computed tomographic cervical myelography in horses: Technique and findings in 51 clinical cases. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Sep;34(5):2142-2151.
- Touzot-Jourde G, Geffroy O, Tallaj A, Gauthier O, Denoix JM. Ultrasonography-Guided Perineural Injection of the Ramus ventralis of the 7 and 8th Cervical Nerves in Horses: A Cadaveric Descriptive Pilot Study. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:102.
- Haussler KK, Pool RR, Clayton HM. Characterization of bony changes localized to the cervical articular processes in a mixed population of horses. PLoS One 2019;14(9):e0222989.
- Aleman M, Dimock AN, Wisner ER, Prutton JW, Madigan JE. Atlanto-axial approach for cervical myelography in a Thoroughbred horse with complete fusion of the atlanto-occipital bones. Can Vet J 2014 Nov;55(11):1069-73.
- Hellige M, Schröder C, Seehusen F, Cavalleri JM, Rohn K, Stadler P, Geburek F. Computed tomographic myelography of the cranial cervical spine in Warmblood horses with no spinal pathology-Inter- and intravertebral ratios and distribution of contrast columns in neutral and flexed cervical spine. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1375-1386.
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