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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Osteochondral fragmentation of the cervical articular proces...
Equine veterinary journal2021; 54(1); 106-113; doi: 10.1111/evj.13410

Osteochondral fragmentation of the cervical articular process joints; prevalence in horses undergoing CT for investigation of cervical dysfunction.

Abstract: Computed tomography (CT) imaging of the cervical spine of mature horses under general anaesthesia is becoming increasingly accessible. Osteochondral fragmentation (OF) of the cervical articular process joints (APJs) has been identified on CT imaging; the prevalence, clinical features and significance of this finding are currently unknown. Objective: To describe the prevalence and clinical features of a population of horses with CT evidence of OF within the cervical APJs. Methods: Retrospective, descriptive case series. Methods: The study population consisted of all horses undergoing CT imaging of the entire cervical spine between April 2016 and December 2019 at Liphook Equine Hospital for investigation of clinical signs localised to this region. CT scans were examined for evidence of OF within the APJs and additional case features were recorded. Results: A total of 55 horses underwent CT imaging during the study period. OF was identified in 13 horses, giving a CT prevalence of 24% in the study population. OF occurred in a range of ages, breeds and uses of equine, presenting with varied clinical signs. It was identified at every level of the neck. Additional cervical pathology was identified in 11/13 OF cases. Conclusions: Retrospective analysis of a clinical caseload with a lack of clinically normal controls or post mortem confirmation of imaging findings. Low case numbers. Conclusions: OF within the cervical APJs is recognised on CT imaging in horses with cervical dysfunction. Fragments are commonly identified in combination with additional cervical pathology. Further investigation is required to confirm their clinical significance and develop potential treatment options where necessary.
© 2020 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2021-02-15 PubMed ID: 33368552DOI: 10.1111/evj.13410Google 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 focuses on the prevalence and clinical implications of osteochondral fragmentation (OF) in the cervical articular process joints (APJs) of horses. Using computed tomography (CT) imaging, the study identifies OF in 24% of the test population.

Methods and Investigation

  • The researchers performed a retrospective case series to draw conclusions from past assessments made at the Liphook Equine Hospital between April 2016 and December 2019. Every horse that underwent a CT scan of the entire cervical spine during this period was considered for the study. The investigations were mainly targeted towards horses exhibiting clinical signs suggestive of problems in the cervical region.
  • The CT scans were diligently examined for confirming the presence of OF within the APJs. Any extra case features were also carefully noted.

Results

  • The total number of horses that underwent the CT imaging during the period was 55. Out of these, 13 horses were found to have evidence of OF in the cervical APJs, giving a CT prevalence rate of 24% in the sampled population.
  • In terms of the horses that showed OF, there was a diverse range of ages, breeds and functionalities. Moreover, the clinical signs were different for each horse. The OF was identified at all levels of the neck.
  • Additional cervical pathologies were discerned in 11 out of the 13 OF cases.

Conclusions

  • This study recognised OF in the cervical APJs in horses on CT imaging. These fragments were often found in association with additional cervical pathology. Also, a diverse population was studied, with varied breeds, ages and uses among the sampled horses.
  • It should be noted that there was a lack of clinically normal controls and post-mortem confirmation of imaging findings during this study. Also, the case numbers for this research were relatively low.
  • Given the extent of OF found in the cervical spines of horses, and their association with varied clinical symptoms, there is a need for more research. Such investigations would confirm the clinical significance of this pathology and help in the development of treatment options if required.

Cite This Article

APA
Tucker R, Hall YS, Hughes TK, Parker RA. (2021). Osteochondral fragmentation of the cervical articular process joints; prevalence in horses undergoing CT for investigation of cervical dysfunction. Equine Vet J, 54(1), 106-113. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13410

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 1
Pages: 106-113

Researcher Affiliations

Tucker, Rachel
  • Liphook Equine Hospital, Liphook, Hampshire, UK.
Hall, Yvonne S
  • Liphook Equine Hospital, Liphook, Hampshire, UK.
Hughes, Thomas K
  • Liphook Equine Hospital, Liphook, Hampshire, UK.
Parker, Russell A
  • Liphook Equine Hospital, Liphook, Hampshire, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Kondo T, Sato F, Tsuzuki N, Yamada K. Sex differences in cervical spinal cord and spinal canal development in Thoroughbred horses. J Vet Med Sci 2022 Sep 21;84(10):1363-1367.
    doi: 10.1292/jvms.22-0234pubmed: 35944983google scholar: lookup
  2. Kondo T, Sato F, Tsuzuki N, Watanabe K, Horiuchi N, Kobayashi Y, Yamada K. Characteristic computed tomographic myelography findings in 23 Thoroughbred horses. J Vet Med Sci 2022 Apr 13;84(4):525-532.
    doi: 10.1292/jvms.22-0036pubmed: 35197397google scholar: lookup
  3. Schild CO, Nyaoke A, Asin J, Henderson EE, Blea JA, Stover SM, Uzal FA. A retrospective study of radial fractures in racehorses in California, 2006-2022. J Vet Diagn Invest 2025 Jul 23;:10406387251336267.
    doi: 10.1177/10406387251336267pubmed: 40702641google scholar: lookup
  4. Nazari-Ghadikolaei A, Fikse WF, Viklund ÅG, Mikko S, Eriksson S. Single-Step Genome-Wide Association Study of Factors for Evaluated and Linearly Scored Traits in Swedish Warmblood Horses. J Anim Breed Genet 2025 Sep;142(5):499-512.
    doi: 10.1111/jbg.12923pubmed: 39754479google scholar: lookup
  5. Dyson S, Phillips K, Zheng S, Aleman M. Congenital variants of the ventral laminae of the sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae are not associated with clinical signs or other radiological abnormalities of the cervicothoracic region in Warmblood horses. Equine Vet J 2025 Mar;57(2):419-430.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14127pubmed: 38938125google scholar: lookup
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