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Home / Equine Research Bank / Acta Neuropathol / Neuritis of the cauda equina, a chronic idiopathic polyradic...
Acta neuropathologica1979; 46(1-2); 17-24; doi: 10.1007/BF00684799

Neuritis of the cauda equina, a chronic idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis in the horse.

Abstract: Four cases of neuritis of the cauda equina (NCE) were studied by light and electron microscopy. Examination of sacral intradural rootlets revealed inflammatory cell infiltrates and an array of myelinated fiber changes which included myelin stripping by invading mononuclear cells and macrophages, as well as splitting and vesiculation of myelin lamellae without obvious participation by leukocytes. More distally in the extradural roots, there was marked granulomatous inflammation, and demyelinative changes were overshadowed by widespread evidence of irreversible axon damage. In all cases, unusual crystalline inclusions appeared in the endoneurium and sheaths of the rootlets and fascicles. The changes in NCE were compared and contrasted with those observed in acute and chronic inflammatory demyelinative neuropathies.
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Publication Date: 1979-04-12 PubMed ID: 222109DOI: 10.1007/BF00684799Google 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 investigated four instances of neuritis of the cauda equina (NCE), a nerve condition in horses using microscopy. They identified cellular changes including inflammation, myelin damage and unusual crystalline inclusions. These findings were then compared to other neuropathies to highlight the distinct features of NCE.

Microscopy Studies of NCE

  • The researchers investigated four cases of neuritis of the cauda equina (NCE), a nerve condition affecting horses. The studies were conducted using light and electron microscopy, which allows for highly detailed observation of cellular structures and processes.
  • The examination of sacral intradural rootlets involved in NCE revealed several cellular changes. These included inflammatory cell infiltrates, which suggest an immune response was taking place, and a range of changes to myelinated fibers, which are essential for the fast conduction of nerve signals.

Cellular Changes in NCE

  • Specific changes identified in myelinated fibers included stripping of myelin by invading immune cells known as mononuclear cells and macrophages. This suggests an active immune response contributing to damage of the nerve fibers.
  • Other changes observed included splitting and vesiculation of myelin lamellae without clear involvement from other immune cells, which indicates alternative damage mechanisms may also be at play.
  • More severe changes were found further along in the extradural roots. Here, strong granulomatous inflammation was identified, indicating a chronic inflammatory response. Concurrently, demyelinative changes, which suggest damage to the myelin sheath of nerves, were overshadowed by widespread evidence of irreversible axon damage, showing the permanent harm NCE can cause to nerve structures.
  • In all cases, unusual crystalline inclusions appeared in the protective coverings and sheaths of the nerve rootlets and fascicles, adding a distinct feature of NCE. The role or impact of these inclusions remains uncertain and would require further study for full understanding.

Comparison with Other Neuropathies

  • The researchers compared the changes observed in NCE to those found in acute and chronic inflammatory demyelinative neuropathies. This comparison can provide insights into the distinct features of NCE and improve understanding of the pathological processes involved in different neuropathies.

Cite This Article

APA
Cummings JF, de Lahunta A, Timoney JF. (1979). Neuritis of the cauda equina, a chronic idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis in the horse. Acta Neuropathol, 46(1-2), 17-24. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00684799

Publication

Acta neuropathologica
ISSN: 0001-6322
NlmUniqueID: 0412041
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 46
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 17-24

Researcher Affiliations

Cummings, J F
    de Lahunta, A
      Timoney, J F

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Axons / ultrastructure
        • Cauda Equina
        • Female
        • Horse Diseases / pathology
        • Horses
        • Inclusion Bodies / ultrastructure
        • Male
        • Microscopy, Electron
        • Myelin Sheath / ultrastructure
        • Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / pathology
        • Polyradiculoneuropathy / veterinary
        • Pregnancy
        • Spinal Nerve Roots / pathology
        • Spinal Nerve Roots / ultrastructure

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        Citations

        This article has been cited 2 times.
        1. Rousseaux CG, Futcher KG, Clark EG, Naylor JM. Cauda equina neuritis: a chronic idiopathic polyneuritis in two horses.. Can Vet J 1984 May;25(5):214-8.
          pubmed: 17422405
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          doi: 10.1007/BF00690632pubmed: 7072488google scholar: lookup
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