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Equine veterinary journal2022; 55(1); 83-91; doi: 10.1111/evj.13560

Dynamic three-dimensional computed tomographic imaging facilitates evaluation of the equine cervical articular process joint in motion.

Abstract: Dynamic computed tomography (CT) imaging has been introduced in human orthopaedics and is continuing to gain popularity. With dynamic CT, video sequences of anatomical structures can be evaluated in motion. Objective: To investigate the feasibility of dynamic CT for diagnostic imaging of the equine cervical articular process joints (APJs) and to give a detailed description of the APJ movement pattern. Methods: Descriptive cadaver imaging. Methods: Cervical specimens of twelve Warmblood horses were included. A custom-made motorised testing device was used to position and manipulate the neck specimens and perform dynamic 2D and 3D CT imaging. Images were obtained with a 320-detector-row CT scanner with a 160 mm wide-area (2D) solid-state detector design that allows image acquisition of a volumetric axial length of 160 mm without moving the CT couch. Dynamic videos were acquired and divided into four phases of movement. Three blinded observers used a subjective scale of 1 (excellent) to 4 (poor) to grade the overall image quality in each phases of motion cycle. Results: With an overall median score of 1 the image quality, a significantly lower score was observed in the dynamic 3D videos over the four phases by the three observers compared with the 2D videos for both flexion (3D 95% CI: 1-2 and 2D 95% CI: 1-3; P = .007) and extension movement (3D 95% CI: 1-2 and 2D 95% CI: 1-3; P = .008). Median Translational displacement of the APJ surface was significantly greater in flexion than in extension movement (P = .002). Conclusions: The small number of specimens included. Excision of spines and removal of musculature. Conclusions: The study is a first step in the investigation of the potential of dynamic 3D CT in veterinary medicine, a technique that has only begun to be explored and leaves much room for refinement prior to its introduction in routine practice. CT with a detector coverage of 16 cm and a rotation speed of 0.32 seconds provides high-quality images of moving objects and gives new insight into the movement pattern of equine cervical APJs.
© 2022 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2022-01-21 PubMed ID: 35043993DOI: 10.1111/evj.13560Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 study explores the use of dynamic three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) imaging in analysing horse’s cervical articular process joints movement. Even with a limited sample size, the research found promising results indicating the potential of 3D CT imaging in veterinary medicine.

Objective of the Study

  • The primary aim of the study was to determine if dynamic 3D CT scanning could be effectively used for veterinary diagnostics, specifically the imaging of the equine cervical articular process joints (APJs) in action.
  • The research also sought to provide a comprehensive description of the APJ movement pattern.

Research Methodology

  • This study focused on the cervical specimens from twelve Warmblood horses.
  • A custom-made motorized testing tool was used to manipulate the neck specimens. Using this, the researchers performed dynamic 2D and 3D CT imaging.
  • The images obtained were through a 320-detector-row CT scanner, allowing for a volumetric axial length imaging of 160mm without moving the CT couch.
  • The dynamic videos were divided into different phases of movement, which were then analyzed by three blinded observers using a subjective scale for grading the overall image quality for each phase of the motion cycle.

Study Results

  • The image quality was generally excellent, with a median score of 1 denoting this.
  • It was discovered that the 3D videos gave significantly better results than the 2D videos during both flexion and extension movement phases.
  • The researchers found that the translational displacement of the APJ surface was significantly greater in flexion than in extension movement.

Conclusions

  • The study acknowledges limited samples and certain limitations such as the excision of spines and removal of musculature.
  • However, the research paves the way for exploring the use of dynamic 3D CT in veterinary medicine, a technique that requires further refinement.
  • CT scanners that offer a detector coverage of 16 cm and a rotation speed of 0.32 seconds showed their potential in providing high-quality images of moving objects, shedding light on the movement pattern of equine cervical APJs.

Cite This Article

APA
Schulze N, Werpy N, Gernhardt J, Fritsch G, Hildebrandt T, Vanderperren K, Klopfleisch R, Ben Romdhane R, Lischer C, Ehrle A. (2022). Dynamic three-dimensional computed tomographic imaging facilitates evaluation of the equine cervical articular process joint in motion. Equine Vet J, 55(1), 83-91. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13560

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 1
Pages: 83-91

Researcher Affiliations

Schulze, Nicole
  • Equine Clinic, Surgery and Radiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Werpy, Natasha
  • Equine Diagnostic Imaging Inc., Archer, Florida, USA.
Gernhardt, Jennifer
  • Equine Clinic, Surgery and Radiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Fritsch, Guido
  • Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., Berlin, Germany.
Hildebrandt, Thomas
  • Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., Berlin, Germany.
Vanderperren, Katrien
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Klopfleisch, Robert
  • Institute for Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Ben Romdhane, Racem
  • Institute for Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Lischer, Christophorus
  • Equine Clinic, Surgery and Radiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Ehrle, Anna
  • Equine Clinic, Surgery and Radiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cadaver
  • Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Horses
  • Movement
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • ECVS Research Grant

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. England D, Newsom L, White C, McKenzie E. Retrospective radiographic myelogram measurements and long-term outcomes in horses undergoing cervical interbody fusion surgery: 22 cases. PLoS One 2025;20(5):e0323083.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0323083pubmed: 40333898google scholar: lookup
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