Influence of abdominal elevation on radiographic measurements of the thoracolumbar interspinous spaces in asymptomatic horses.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine if abdominal elevation could induce radiographically visible widening of the interspinous spaces in the thoracolumbar region of standing sedated horses and facilitate the surgical approach to the region. Radiographs centered on T13 and T18 were taken while applying different degrees of tension on a wide strap placed under the abdomen of 7 healthy horses. Then, the interspinous spaces between T11 and L2 were measured following a standardized method. The interspinous spaces widen radiographically between T11 to L2, except for T18-L1. Thus, the reported technique could potentially facilitate the surgical approach for horses with impinging and overriding dorsal spinous processes. Influence de l’élévation abdominale sur les mesures radiographiques des espaces intervertébraux thoraco-lombaires chez des chevaux asymptomatiques. L’objectif de la présente étude était de déterminer si l’élévation abdominale pouvait causer un élargissement radiographique visible des espaces intervertébraux dans la région thoraco-lombaire de chevaux sous sédation en position debout et faciliter l’approche chirurgicale de la région. Des radiographies centrées sur T13 et T18 furent prises tout en appliquant différents degrés de tension sur une large courroie placée sous l’abdomen de sept chevaux en santé. Puis, les espaces intervertébraux entre T11 et L2 furent mesurés en suivant une méthode standardisée. Les espaces intervertébraux s’élargissaient radiographiquement entre T11 à L2, sauf pour T18–L1. Ainsi, la technique radiographique rapportée ici pourrait potentiellement faciliter l’approche chirurgicale chez des chevaux avec empiètement et chevauchement des apophyses épineuses.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).
Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
Publication Date: 2020-10-06 PubMed ID: 33012827PubMed Central: PMC7488370
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigates whether elevating the abdomen of a sedated horse standing upright could visibly widen the spaces between the spinal processes in the thoracolumbar region, which could potentially facilitate surgical procedures in this area.
Research method
Radiographs were taken of seven healthy horses. The images were focused on two thoracic vertebrae or segments (T13 and T18), and taken while there were varying degrees of tension applied to a wide strap placed under the horse’s abdomen. Following this, the spaces between the 11th thoracic vertebrae and the 2nd lumbar vertebrae (T11 and L2) were measured using a standard method.
- The individual vertebrae segments in a horse’s back are labeled T for Thoracic and L for Lumbar. The numbers following these letters indicate the position of a specific segment in reference to the entire collection of segments within each section.
Key findings
The radiographic images indicated that the spaces between the spinal processes from T11 to L2, with the exception of T18-L1, became wider upon the elevation of the abdomen.
- This result suggests that using a strap to elevate the abdomen of a sedated standing horse could be applied as a technique to facilitate a surgical approach for horses that show overlapping or impinging dorsal spinous processes – a condition known as ‘kissing spine’ which can cause back pain in horses.
Significance
If validated through additional studies, this approach could potentially reduce the complexity, and by extension, the risks and costs associated with surgical interventions in the thoracolumbar region of horses.
- The ability to radiographically visualize an increased interspinous space following abdominal elevation could guide veterinary surgeons in establishing the most appropriate surgical approach and technique.
- This research could have meaningful implications for the future treatment of equine back conditions requiring surgical intervention.
Cite This Article
APA
Pigé C, Masseau I, Bonilla AG.
(2020).
Influence of abdominal elevation on radiographic measurements of the thoracolumbar interspinous spaces in asymptomatic horses.
Can Vet J, 61(10), 1101-1105.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, St. Hyacinthe, Q.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, St. Hyacinthe, Q.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, St. Hyacinthe, Q.
MeSH Terms
- Abdomen
- Animals
- Horses
- Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
- Lumbar Vertebrae / surgery
- Radiography
- Thoracic Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
- Thoracic Vertebrae / surgery
References
This article includes 13 references
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