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
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 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
- Hahn CN, Handel I, Green SL, Bronsvoort MB, Mayhew IG. Assessment of the utility of using intra- and intervertebral minimum sagittal diameter ratios in the diagnosis of cervical vertebral malformation in Horses. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound: The Official Journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association 2008;49:1-6.
- Johnson AL, Reed S, Furr M, Reed S. Equine Neurology. 2015. Second Edition.
- König HE, iebich HG. Veterinary anatomy of domestic animals: Textbook and colour atlas. 2020:122.
- Szpalski M, Gunzburg R. Lumbar spinal stenosis in the elderly: an overview. European Spine Journal 2003;12:S170-S175.
- Sairyo K, Biyani A, Goel V. Pathomechanism of Ligamentum Flavum Hypertrophy: a Multidisciplinary Investigation Based on Clinical, Biomechanical, Histologic, and Biologic Assessments. Spine 2005;30:2649-2656.
- Kosaka H, Sairyo K, Biyani A. Pathomechanism of Loss of Elasticity and Hypertrophy of Lumbar Ligamentum Flavum in Elderly Patients With Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis. Spine 2007;32:2805-2811.
- Decker SD, da Costa RC, Volk HA, Ham L. Current insights and controversies in the pathogenesis and diagnosis of disc-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy in dogs. Veterinary Record 2012;171:531-537.
- Stabile F, Bernardini M, Bevilacqua G, Ekiri AB, de SA, Risio LD. Neurological signs and pre- and post-traction low-field MRI findings in Dobermanns with disc-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy. Journal of Small Animal Practice 2015;56:331-338.
- Trostle SS, Dubielzig RR, Beck KA. Examination of Frozen Cross Sections of Cervical Spinal Intersegments in Nine Horses with Cervical Vertebral Malformation: lesions Associated with Spinal Cord Compression. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 1992;5:423-431.
- Powers BE, Stashak TS, Nixon AJ, Yovich JV, Norrdin RW. Pathology of the Vertebral Column of Horses with Cervical Static Stenosis. Veterinary Pathology 1986;23:392-399.
- Levine JM, Ngheim PP, Levine GJ, Cohen ND. Associations of sex, breed, and age with cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy in horses: 811 cases (1974-2007). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2008;233:1453-1458.
- Levine JM, Adam E, MacKay RJ, Walker MA, Frederick JD, Cohen ND. Confirmed and Presumptive Cervical Vertebral Compressive Myelopathy in Older Horses: a Retrospective Study (1992-2004). J Vet Internal Medicine 2007;21:812-819.
- Lipsitz D, Levitski RE, Chauvet AE, Berry WL. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features of Cervical Stenotic Myelopathy in 21 Dogs. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound: The Official Journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association 2001;42:20-27.
- Costa RCD, Parent J, Dobson H, Holmberg D, Partlow G. Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Myelography in 18 Doberman Pincher Dogs with cervical Spondylomyelopathy. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound: The Official Journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association 2006;47:523-531.
- Mullen KR, Furness MC, Johnson AL. Adverse Reactions in Horses that Underwent General Anesthesia and Cervical Myelography. J Vet Internal Medicine 2015;29:954-960.
- Dennison SE, Drees R, Rylander H. Evaluation of different Computed Tomography Techniques and Myelography fro the Diagnosis of Acute Canine Myelopathy. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound: The Official Journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association 2010;51:254-258.
- Lindgren CM, Wright L, Kristoffersen M, Puchalski SM. Computed tomography and myelography of the equine cervical spine: 180 cases (2013-2018). Equine Vet Educ 2020.
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
