Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Multifocal discrete osteolysis in a horse with silicate associated osteoporosis.
Abstract: Silicate associated osteoporosis (SAO) was diagnosed in an adult horse with the shortest documented exposure to cytotoxic silicates of 2 years. The horse was evaluated for a 6-months history of progressive back tenderness and acute onset of lameness. The horse had a marked (4/5) [American Association of Equine Practitioners scale] left forelimb lameness, moderate (2/5) hindlimb ataxia and weakness, and cervical pain upon palpation. Physical examination did not reveal clinical skeletal deformities or respiratory compromise. Radiographs revealed widespread, discrete, sharply delineated, osteolytic lesions in the skull, vertebral column, ribs, scapulae and middle phalanx (P2) of the left forelimb and a diffuse bronchointerstitial lung pattern. The presumptive clinical diagnosis was widespread, metastatic osteolytic neoplasia. Due to the poor quality of life and grave prognosis, the horse was humanely euthanised. Post mortem examination revealed pulmonary silicosis in the lungs and hilar lymph nodes and osteolytic lesions with numerous, large osteoclasts and disorganised bone remodeling both consistent with SAO. SAO should be included as a differential diagnosis for horses with widespread, multifocal, discrete osteolysis and history of exposure to endemic regions with possible cytotoxic silicate inhalation. Exposure time of 2 years is potentially sufficient to develop SAO.
Publication Date: 2018-02-15 PubMed ID: 33041530PubMed Central: PMC7546327DOI: 10.1111/eve.12899Google 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.
This study presents the case of an adult horse diagnosed with Silicate-associated Osteoporosis (SAO) after a two-year exposure to cytotoxic silicates. The horse showed symptoms like back tenderness, lameness, hindlimb ataxia and weakness, and cervical pain. Radiographs identified osteolytic lesions in several parts of the horse’s body. Ultimately, due to its deteriorating condition, the horse was euthanized. The necropsy confirmed the presence of SAO and the study concludes that exposure to cytotoxic silicates even for limited periods like two years can lead to the development of SAO in horses.
Overview of the Case
- This research revolves around a symptomatic horse which underwent several tests for a period of six months due to progressive back tenderness and sudden onset of lameness. The horse was also observed to have a significant left forelimb lameness, mild hindlimb weakness, and pain in the neck region. This indicated a grave condition which led to further investigation.
Investigation and Diagnosis
- Physical examination did not show any obvious skeletal deformities or respiratory issues in the horse. However, when radiographs were taken, numerous osteolytic lesions were discovered in the skull, vertebral columns, ribs, shoulder blades, and in the long bone of the left forelimb.
- Additionally, a diffuse pattern was observed in the horse’s lungs, which led to the preliminary clinical diagnosis of widespread, metastatic osteolytic neoplasia. This is a serious bone disease causing bone loss, commonly seen in cancer patients.
Post Mortem Evaluation
- Given the poor quality of life and grim prognosis, the decision was made to euthanize the horse. Post-mortem analysis allowed for a more conclusive diagnosis.
- The necropsy results revealed Pulmonary Silicosis in both the lungs of the horse and its hilar lymph nodes, a condition usually caused by the inhalation of dust containing silica.
- The bone lesions exhibited a large number of osteoclasts and signs of disorganized bone remodeling. These findings corresponded to a condition known as Silicate-associated Osteoporosis (SAO), confirming the diagnosis.
Conclusion
- The study concludes that SAO should be considered when diagnosing horses exhibiting widespread, multifocal, and discrete osteolysis, especially if they have been exposed to areas endemic with potentially cytotoxic silicate dust.
- It is also highlighted that exposure duration as short as two years could also potentially lead to the development of SAO.
Cite This Article
APA
Zavodovskaya R, Eckert M, Murphy BG, Stover SM, Kol A, Diab S.
(2018).
Multifocal discrete osteolysis in a horse with silicate associated osteoporosis.
Equine Vet Educ, 31(10), 517-522.
https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.12899 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616 USA.
- Steinbeck Country Equine Clinic, Salinas, CA 93908 USA.
- Department Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616 USA.
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616 USA.
- Department Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616 USA.
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis CA 95616 USA.
Grant Funding
- T32 OD011147 / NIH HHS
Conflict of Interest Statement
Authors’ declaration of interests The authors declare that there were no conflicts of interest.
References
This article includes 16 references
- Anderson JD, Galuppo LD, Barr BC, Puchalski SM, Macdonald MM, Whitcomb MB, Magdesian KG, Stover SM. Clinical and scintigraphic findings in horses with a bone fragility disorder: 16 cases (1980-2006).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2008 Jun 1;232(11):1694-9.
- Arens AM, Barr B, Puchalski SM, Poppenga R, Kulin RM, Anderson J, Stover SM. Osteoporosis associated with pulmonary silicosis in an equine bone fragility syndrome.. Vet Pathol 2011 May;48(3):593-615.
- Arens AM, Puchalski SM, Whitcomb MB, Bell R, Gardner IA, Stover SM. Comparison of the use of scapular ultrasonography, physical examination, and measurement of serum biomarkers of bone turnover versus scintigraphy for detection of bone fragility syndrome in horses.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2013 Jan 1;242(1):76-85.
- Campbell BA, Callahan J, Bressel M, Simoens N, Everitt S, Hofman MS, Hicks RJ, Burbury K, MacManus M. Distribution Atlas of Proliferating Bone Marrow in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Measured by FLT-PET/CT Imaging, With Potential Applicability in Radiation Therapy Planning.. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2015 Aug 1;92(5):1035-1043.
- Chen SJ, Liao WC, Huang KH, Lin CL, Tsai WC, Kung PT, Chang KH, Kao CH. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and allied conditions is a strong independent risk factor for osteoporosis and pathologic fractures: a population-based cohort study.. QJM 2015 Aug;108(8):633-40.
- Durham M, Armstrong CM. Fractures and bone deformities in 18 horses with silicosis. Proceedings. 52nd Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners; 2006. pp. 311–317.
- Edwards DF, Parker JW, Wilkinson JE, Helman RG. Plasma cell myeloma in the horse. A case report and literature review.. J Vet Intern Med 1993 May-Jun;7(3):169-76.
- Katzman SA, Nieto JE, Arens AM, MacDonald MH, Puchalski SM, Galuppo LD, Snyder JR, Maher O, Bell RJ. Use of zoledronate for treatment of a bone fragility disorder in horses.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2012 Jun 1;240(11):1323-8.
- MacAllister C, Qualls C Jr, Tyler R, Root CR. Multiple myeloma in a horse.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1987 Aug 1;191(3):337-9.
- Mossman BT, Glenn RE. Bioreactivity of the crystalline silica polymorphs, quartz and cristobalite, and implications for occupational exposure limits (OELs).. Crit Rev Toxicol 2013 Sep;43(8):632-60.
- Muñoz A, Riber C, Trigo P, Castejón F. Hematopoietic neoplasias in horses: myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative disorders.. J Equine Sci 2009;20(4):59-72.
- Schwartz LW, Knight HD, Whittig LD, Malloy RL, Abraham JL, Tyler NK. Silicate pneumoconiosis and pulmonary fibrosis in horses from the Monterey-Carmel peninsula.. Chest 1981 Jul;80(1 Suppl):82-5.
- Symons JE, Entwistle RC, Arens AM, Garcia TC, Christiansen BA, Fyhrie DP, Stover SM. Mechanical and morphological properties of trabecular bone samples obtained from third metacarpal bones of cadavers of horses with a bone fragility syndrome and horses unaffected by that syndrome.. Am J Vet Res 2012 Nov;73(11):1742-51.
- Takayanagi H. Osteoimmunology: shared mechanisms and crosstalk between the immune and bone systems.. Nat Rev Immunol 2007 Apr;7(4):292-304.
- Yildizgören MT, Ekiz T, Nadir Öziş T, Baki AE, Tutkun E, Özgirgin N. Osteoporosis: can it be related to silicosis?. Tuberk Toraks 2014;62(1):98-9.
- Yıldızgören MT, Öziş TN, Baki AE, Tutkun E, Yılmaz H, Tiftik T, Ekiz T, Özgirgin N. Evaluation of bone mineral density and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in subjects with silica exposure.. Environ Health Prev Med 2016 May;21(3):149-53.
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
