Distances between thoracic spinous processes in Warmblood foals: a radiographic study.
Abstract: The aetiological factors behind impinged or overriding of dorsal spinous processes ('kissing spine syndrome', KSS) are not clearly understood. Back conformation, breed, age, training and gender may play important roles in this condition. Radiographic changes vary and abnormalities are seen in many clinically normal horses, but the conclusion of previous studies in mature horses is that interspinous spaces <4 mm are considered too narrow and potentially indicative of KSS. Objective: To evaluate whether narrowing of the interspinous space was present in a population of normal Warmblood foals. Methods: The mean interspinous space width in the area of T10-L1 was measured on radiographs from 25 Warmblood foals aged 9-88 days. Results: Mean +/- s.d. interspinous space width was found to be between 5.9 +/- 1.2 and 8.9 +/- 2.6 mm with the narrowest space in the area T16-T17 and the widest space in T10-T12. No interspinous spaces were <4 mm wide. Gender and location of the interspinous space significantly affected the width of the distance between the spinous processes. Conclusions: In this study none of the interspinous spaces were <4 mm and therefore none of the foals showed signs of impinged or overriding of dorsal spinous processes known as KSS based on the current definitions. Consequently, in this population, there did not appear to be a congenital narrowing of the interspinous space. However, long-term follow-up studies, including detailed information on imposed factors such as training, are needed in order to further elucidate a possible congenital component in the aetiology of KSS.
Publication Date: 2010-08-19 PubMed ID: 20716189DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00113.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research paper is an investigation into the causes behind the condition known as “kissing spine syndrome” (KSS) in Warmblood foals. The study specifically evaluates whether there are any signs of congenital narrowing of the spaces between the dorsal spinous processes in these foals, which could potentially suggest a predisposition to KSS.
Research Objectives
- The primary goal of the study was to understand if narrowing of the interspinous space, a condition known to potentially cause KSS, was present in normal Warmblood foals.
- The researchers also aimed to identify if factors such as gender and location of the interspinous space could significantly affect the width of these spaces.
Methodology
- The research team used radiographic measurements for their study.
- They studied 25 Warmblood foals, all aged between 9 and 88 days.
- The mean interspinous space width in the area of T10-L1 of these foals was the main focus.
Results
- The radiographic study showed that the mean interspinous space width of the foals was between 5.9 +/- 1.2 and 8.9 +/- 2.6 mm. This fact is significant because previous studies have suggested that an interspinous space of less than 4mm is considered too narrow, pointing to potential KSS.
- The narrowest and widest spaces were found to be in the areas T16-T17 and T10-T12 respectively.
- None of the interspinous spaces were less than 4mm wide.
- The width between the spinous processes was found to be significantly affected by factors such as gender and the location of the interspinous space.
Conclusions
- The study found that no signs of KSS were indicated based on current definitions, as none of the interspinous spaces measured were less than 4mm.
- Therefore, it was concluded that there did not appear to be any congenital narrowing of the interspinous space in this population of Warmblood foals.
- However, the study suggests the need for long-term follow-up studies for understanding any potential influence from factors such as training, which would help further unveil if there is a congenital component in the aetiology of KSS.
Cite This Article
APA
Sinding MF, Berg LC.
(2010).
Distances between thoracic spinous processes in Warmblood foals: a radiographic study.
Equine Vet J, 42(6), 500-503.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00113.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Hoejelse Equine Clinic, Denmark.
MeSH Terms
- Aging
- Animals
- Female
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Male
- Radiography
- Sex Characteristics
- Thoracic Vertebrae / anatomy & histology
- Thoracic Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Pigé C, Masseau I, Bonilla AG. Influence of abdominal elevation on radiographic measurements of the thoracolumbar interspinous spaces in asymptomatic horses. Can Vet J 2020 Oct;61(10):1101-1105.
- Gutierrez-Quintana R, Lindley S, Sullivan M, Penderis J, Wessmann A. Dorsal spinous process impingement syndrome ('kissing spine') in a cat: imaging appearance and surgical management. J Feline Med Surg 2011 Aug;13(8):618-21.
- Pilati N, Pressanto MC, Palumbo Piccionello A, De Angelis Corvi F, Beccati F. Impinging and Overriding Spinous Processes in Horses: A Narrative Review. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 13;15(18).
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