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CT myelographic diagnosis of ligamentum flavum hypertrophy in a Warmblood Gelding with progressive ataxia.
Abstract: An 8-year-old Warmblood gelding presented with a history of progressive ataxia for 6 weeks. Intra- and intervertebral ratios measured from lateral radiographs of the cervical spine were within normal limits. Computed tomographic myelography of the cervical spine revealed focal compression of the dorsal and the ventral contrast column as well as a ventral displacement of the spinal cord within the spinal canal due to a bulging of soft tissue attenuating material in the dorsal half of the intervertebral junction of C6 and C7. Post-mortem histopathological examination confirmed chondroid metaplasia of the ligamentum flavum at C6-C7.
© 2021 The Authors. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Radiology.
Publication Date: 2021-04-05 PubMed ID: 33821523DOI: 10.1111/vru.12971Google 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
Summary
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The research article discusses a case of an 8-year-old Warmblood gelding (a type of horse) suffering from increasing ataxia (loss of control of bodily movements) for 6 weeks. Despite normal radiograph results, computed tomographic myelography revealed spinal cord compression and displacement due to abnormal bulging at one of the intervertebral junctions in the horse’s neck. A post-mortem examination identified this as occurring due to a change in tissue type (chondroid metaplasia) in a ligament in the horse’s spine.
Research Background
- The research was instigated by an 8-year-old Warmblood gelding exhibiting symptoms of progressive ataxia over 6 weeks, a condition characterized by the loss of full control of bodily movements which in this case would seriously impair the horse’s ability to function and perform.
- Initial investigations involved lateral radiograph imaging of the horse’s cervical spine but failed to provide answers, as the intra- and intervertebral ratios were found to be within normal ranges.
Diagnostic Methods
- Given the normal radiograph results but ongoing ataxia, more in-depth diagnostic methods were employed. This involved conducting a computed tomographic myelography of the horse’s cervical spine.
- This advanced imaging technique provides high-resolution images of the spinal cord and surrounding structures and can identify cord compression, displacements, or other abnormalities not revealed through simple radiograph techniques.
Findings
- The computed tomographic myelography of the gelding’s cervical spine revealed focal compression of both the dorsal and ventral contrast columns, which are key parts of the spinal cord.
- In addition to this compression, there was a displacement of the spinal cord within the spinal canal, a shift caused by the bulging of ‘soft-tissue attenuating material’ in the dorsal half of the intervertebral junction between C6 and C7 vertebrae.
- This bulging and subsequent shifting and compression of spinal structures were deemed to be the cause of the horse’s ataxia.
Conclusion
- Following the horse’s death, a post-mortem examination of the cervical spine confirmed chondroid metaplasia of the ligamentum flavum at C6-C7.
- Chondroid metaplasia is a condition where connective tissue transforms into cartilage tissue, which in this case led to ligament bulging and was identified as the primary cause of the horse’s symptoms and ultimate demise.
Cite This Article
APA
Hellige M, Warnken T, Puff C, Feige K.
(2021).
CT myelographic diagnosis of ligamentum flavum hypertrophy in a Warmblood Gelding with progressive ataxia.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 62(4), e44-e47.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.12971 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany.
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany.
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany.
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Ataxia / diagnostic imaging
- Ataxia / pathology
- Ataxia / veterinary
- Disease Progression
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Humans
- Ligamentum Flavum / diagnostic imaging
- Ligamentum Flavum / pathology
- Male
- Myelography / veterinary
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
References
This article includes 17 references
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