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Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2011; (38); 654-661; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00258.x

Osseous spinal pathology and epaxial muscle ultrasonography in Thoroughbred racehorses.

Abstract: The multifidus muscle plays a key role in spinal stabilisation. Multifidus atrophy ipsilateral to the side of osseous pathology has been demonstrated in man and pigs but has not been investigated in horses. Objective: To measure cross-sectional area (CSA) left/ right symmetry of equine multifidus ultrasonographically and relate asymmetry of multifidus with osseous spinal pathology in Thoroughbred racehorses. We hypothesised that ipsilateral multifidus CSA would be reduced when osseous pathological changes are present leading to left/right asymmetry in CSA. Methods: Twenty-two racehorses presented for euthanasia for primary reasons other than back pain were examined clinically. Ultrasonographic images on left/right sides were acquired at 5 thoracolumbosacral levels and CSA's of multifidus or sacrocaudalis dorsalis calculated. At necropsy, osseous pathological of the TL spine and pelvis were recorded by spinal level, anatomical site, and graded (0-3) according to severity. The mean typical measurement error in estimating multifidus/sacrocaudalis dorsalis CSA was used to determine the significance of left/right asymmetries. An association between multifidus CSA asymmetry and asymmetrical grading of pathological lesions was sought using Pearson's χ(2) analysis. Results: All horses had significant left/right asymmetry of multifidus CSA at >2 spinal levels, most commonly at L5 with total of 74 sites affected (22 horses). Seventeen horses had severe (grade 3) pathology, 16 of these had ipsilateral atrophy of multifidus/sacrocaudalis dorsalis. There was a significant association between pathological grade and degree of multifidus asymmetry. Conclusions: Severe osseous pathological changes were common in this population of Thoroughbred racehorses and were associated with measurable left/right asymmetry in multifidus at or close to the level of pathology. Conclusions: Ultrasonography of multifidus may be a useful clinical tool in diagnosis of back problems in horses.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2011-05-28 PubMed ID: 21059076DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00258.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

The research study explored the loss of muscle mass (atrophy) in the multifidus muscle in Thoroughbred racehorses in relation to bone spinal pathology. The study found a significant correlation between the severity of bone pathology and the degree of muscle asymmetry.

Research Methods

  • The study involved 22 racehorses that were set for euthanasia due to reasons unrelated to back pain.
  • Ultrasonographic images of the left and right sides of the horses’ multifidus muscles were taken at five different thoracolumbosacral levels. The cross-sectional area of the muscle was then calculated.
  • During post-mortem examination, the spinal and pelvic bones were examined for signs of pathological changes.
  • These changes were recorded according to the spinal level, anatomical site, and severity, which was graded on a scale of 0 to 3.
  • An association between the asymmetry of the multifidus muscles and the asymmetrical grading of the pathological lesions was investigated using Pearson’s χ(2) analysis.

Results

  • All horses showed a significant asymmetry in the cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscle at more than two spinal levels. This was most commonly seen at the L5 level, with a total of 74 sites affected among the 22 horses.
  • Seventeen horses had a severe (grade 3) pathology, 16 of them showed corresponding atrophy of the multifidus muscle on the same side.
  • There was a significant association found between the pathological grade of the spinal lesions and the degree of multifidus muscle asymmetry.

Conclusions

  • Severe pathological changes in the spine were common among the Thoroughbred racehorses included in this study.
  • These changes were associated with a measurable asymmetry in the left/right distribution of the multifidus muscle at or close to the level of pathology.
  • The study concluded that ultrasonography of the multifidus muscle could be a valuable diagnostic tool in identifying back problems in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Stubbs NC, Riggs CM, Hodges PW, Jeffcott LB, Hodgson DR, Clayton HM, McGowan CM. (2011). Osseous spinal pathology and epaxial muscle ultrasonography in Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet J Suppl(38), 654-661. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00258.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 38
Pages: 654-661

Researcher Affiliations

Stubbs, N C
  • Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA. stubbsn@cvm.msu.edu
Riggs, C M
    Hodges, P W
      Jeffcott, L B
        Hodgson, D R
          Clayton, H M
            McGowan, C M

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Bone and Bones / pathology
              • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
              • Horses
              • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
              • Muscle, Skeletal / ultrastructure
              • Spine / pathology
              • Ultrasonography

              Citations

              This article has been cited 15 times.
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