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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Magnetic motor evoked potentials of cervical muscles in hors...
BMC veterinary research2018; 14(1); 290; doi: 10.1186/s12917-018-1620-z

Magnetic motor evoked potentials of cervical muscles in horses.

Abstract: When surgical treatment of cervical vertebral malformation is considered, precise localization of compression sites is essential, but remains challenging. Magnetic motor evoked potentials (mMEP) from paravertebral muscles are useful in localizing spinal cord lesions, but no information about cervical muscle mMEP in horses is available yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the possibility, normal values, inter- and intra-observer agreement and factors that have an effect on cervical mMEP in healthy horses. Methods: Transcranial magnetic stimulation was performed on 50 normal horses and 4 (2 left, 2 right) muscle responses were recorded at the middle of each cervical vertebra (C1-C7) and additionally just caudal to C7 to evaluate cervical nerves (Cn) Cn1 to Cn8. Latency time and amplitude of the recorded mMEP were defined by both an experienced and an unexperienced operator. Results: Latency increased gradually from 14.2 ± 1.38 ms for Cn3 to 17.7 ± 1.36 ms for Cn8, was significantly influenced by cervical nerve (P < 0.01), gender (P = 0.02) and height (P = 0.03) and had a good intra-observer agreement. The smallest mean amplitude (4.35 ± 2.37 mV) was found at Cn2, the largest (5.99 ± 2.53 mV) at Cn3. Amplitude was only significantly influenced by cervical nerve (P < 0.01) and had a low intra-observer agreement. No significant effect of observer on latency (P = 0.88) or amplitude (P = 0.99) measurements was found. Conclusions: mMEP of cervical muscles in normal horses are easy to collect and to evaluate with limited intra- and inter-observer variation concerning amplitude and should be investigated in future studies in ataxic horses to evaluate its clinical value.
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Publication Date: 2018-09-24 PubMed ID: 30249249PubMed Central: PMC6154934DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1620-zGoogle 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 aimed to determine the possibility of using magnetic motor evoked potentials (mMEP) in horses’ cervical muscles for localization of spinal cord lesions. The study found that mMEP can be effectively used for this purpose and, while certain factors influence the latency and amplitude, the measurements remain consistent between observers.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study was instigated due to the difficulties in accurately locating compression sites in the spinal cords of horses, which is often necessary before surgical treatment of cervical vertebral malformation.
  • The researchers looked into mMEP from paravertebral muscles, as these are reported to be helpful in pinpointing spinal cord lesions.
  • Transcranial magnetic stimulation was conducted on 50 normal horses to judge the applicability of using mMEP in horses’ cervical muscles.
  • The researchers recorded the muscle responses at several points along the cervical vertebra and evaluated several factors affecting the mMEP.

Results

  • Latency time for the mMEP gradually increased from 14.2 ± 1.38 ms for Cn3 to 17.7 ± 1.36 ms for Cn8.
  • The latency time was significantly influenced by the cervical nerve, the gender of the horse, and the horse’s height.
  • Good intra-observer agreement was observed in the latency time.
  • The smallest mean amplitude of 4.35 ± 2.37 mV was found at Cn2, while the largest, 5.99 ± 2.53 mV, was at Cn3.
  • The amplitude was only significantly influenced by the cervical nerve and displayed low intra-observer agreement.
  • There was no notable impact of the observer on latency or amplitude measurements.

Conclusions

  • The study concludes that mMEP of cervical muscles in normal horses can be easily collected and evaluated.
  • Although there were influences on both amplitude and latency, the study found limited variation between observers, suggesting it could be a reliable method.
  • The study recommends further examination of mMEP in future studies, especially in horses with ataxia, to evaluate further clinical value.

Cite This Article

APA
Rijckaert J, Pardon B, Van Ham L, Joosten P, van Loon G, Deprez P. (2018). Magnetic motor evoked potentials of cervical muscles in horses. BMC Vet Res, 14(1), 290. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-018-1620-z

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 1
Pages: 290
PII: 290

Researcher Affiliations

Rijckaert, Joke
  • Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium. Joke.Rijckaert@ugent.be.
Pardon, Bart
  • Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Van Ham, Luc
  • Department of Obstetrics, Reproduction and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Joosten, Philip
  • Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
van Loon, Gunther
  • Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Deprez, Piet
  • Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cervical Vertebrae / abnormalities
  • Cervical Vertebrae / innervation
  • Evoked Potentials, Motor
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / innervation
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / diagnosis
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

ETHICS APPROVAL AND CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE: The experimental protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Ghent University (case number EC 2016/59). Written informed consent to use the animals in the present study was obtained from the owner of the animals. CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION: Not Applicable. COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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