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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Post anaesthetic myopathy/neuropathy in horses undergoing ma...
Equine veterinary journal2006; 38(6); 497-501; doi: 10.2746/042516406x156505

Post anaesthetic myopathy/neuropathy in horses undergoing magnetic resonance imaging compared to horses undergoing surgery.

Abstract: Patient positioning and long anaesthetic duration required for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may result in a higher frequency of post anaesthetic myopathy/neuropathy syndrome (PAMNS) as compared to horses undergoing anaesthesia for surgery. Objective: Equine anaesthesia for MRI is associated with a higher frequency of PAMNS than anaesthesia for nonemergency, nonabdominal surgery. Methods: Anaesthetic and medical records of horses (n = 633) undergoing MRI or surgery between January 2001 and January 2005 (inclusive), were reviewed. Information obtained included patient details (breed, sex, age, bodyweight), area of body scanned or involved in surgery, body position, anaesthetic and inotropic agents administered, anaesthetic duration, adverse events during anaesthesia and outcome at 7 days. Data were examined by cross tabulation and Chi-square or Fisher's exact test of association. The influence of individual variables was examined by univariant and multivariant analysis models. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in parameters examined, except that horses in the MRI group were heavier (P<0.0001) and anaesthetic duration longer in the surgery group (P<0.004). Eight horses (2.3%, 95% Confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-4.2) in the MRI group had clinical signs of PAMNS in the post anaesthetic period, whereas only 2 horses (0.98%, 95% CI: 0.2-2.8) in the surgery group were affected. This was not statistically significantly different (odds ratio = 2.7, 95% CI: 0.8-13, P = 0.3). Two horses undergoing MRI were subjected to euthanasia due to the severity of PAMNS. Conclusions: There was no difference in the occurrence of PAMNS between the 2 groups. Conclusions: The risk of performing general anaesthesia for diagnostic procedures such as MRI may not be greater than that for a surgical procedure. However, the benefits should be carefully weighed against the risks involved.
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Publication Date: 2006-11-28 PubMed ID: 17124838DOI: 10.2746/042516406x156505Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • 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 research paper explores the higher frequency of Post Anaesthetic Myopathy/Neuropathy Syndrome (PAMNS) in horses subjected to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) compared to horses subjected to non-emergency, nonabdominal surgery. The study shows that despite the dangers associated with both cases, there is no significant difference in the occurrence of PAMNS between the two procedures.

Methodology

  • The researchers carried out a review of previous medical and anaesthetic records from January 2001 to January 2005 of horses (n=633) that underwent either MRI or surgical procedures.
  • The information gathered included the breed, sex, age, bodyweight of each patient, area of the body scanned or involved in surgery, body positioning, anaesthetic and inotropic agents administered, the duration of the anaesthetic, any adverse event during anaesthesia, and the outcome 7 days post-procedure.
  • The collected data were critically examined through cross tabulation and Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test of association. The influence of individual variables was inspected using univariant and multivariant analysis models.

Results

  • The results revealed no significant discrepancies in parameters between the two groups, except that the weight of the horses in the MRI group was heavier (P<0.0001), and the duration of anaesthesia was notably longer in the surgery group (P<0.004).
  • Eight horses (2.3%, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.1-4.2) that underwent MRI showcased clinical signs of PAMNS post-anaesthesia whereas only two horses (0.98%, 95%CI: 0.2-2.8) from the surgery group were affected.
  • This variation was not deemed as statistically significant with an odds ratio of 2.7, 95% CI of 0.8-13, and a P-value of 0.3.
  • Two horses from the MRI group were euthanized owing to the intensity of PAMNS.

Conclusion

  • The research found no significant difference in the occurrence of PAMNS between the two groups, thereby suggesting that the risks involved in performing general anaesthesia for MRI procedures are not greater than those for surgical procedures.
  • The author recommends carefully weighing the benefits against the risks when considering the applicability of these procedures.

Cite This Article

APA
Franci P, Leece EA, Brearley JC. (2006). Post anaesthetic myopathy/neuropathy in horses undergoing magnetic resonance imaging compared to horses undergoing surgery. Equine Vet J, 38(6), 497-501. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516406x156505

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 38
Issue: 6
Pages: 497-501

Researcher Affiliations

Franci, P
  • Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7UU, UK.
Leece, E A
    Brearley, J C

      MeSH Terms

      • Analysis of Variance
      • Anesthesia Recovery Period
      • Anesthesia, General / adverse effects
      • Anesthesia, General / veterinary
      • Animals
      • Body Weight / physiology
      • Chi-Square Distribution
      • Confidence Intervals
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / etiology
      • Horse Diseases / surgery
      • Horses
      • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / adverse effects
      • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
      • Male
      • Muscular Diseases / epidemiology
      • Muscular Diseases / etiology
      • Muscular Diseases / veterinary
      • Nervous System Diseases / epidemiology
      • Nervous System Diseases / etiology
      • Nervous System Diseases / veterinary
      • Odds Ratio
      • Retrospective Studies
      • Risk Factors
      • Time Factors

      Citations

      This article has been cited 5 times.
      1. Straticò P, Varasano V, Palozzo A, Guerri G, Celani G, Revelant O, Petrizzi L. Retrospective Study on Risk Factors and Short-Term Outcome of Horses Referred for Colic from 2016 to 2022. Vet Sci 2022 Oct 3;9(10).
        doi: 10.3390/vetsci9100545pubmed: 36288158google scholar: lookup
      2. Hewitt-Dedman CL, O'Neill HD, Bladon BM. Arthroscopic removal of palmar intermediate carpal bone fracture fragments in four horses using a transthecal approach through the carpal flexor tendon sheath. Vet Surg 2022 Aug;51(6):929-939.
        doi: 10.1111/vsu.13813pubmed: 35403724google scholar: lookup
      3. Gozalo-Marcilla M, Ringer SK. Recovery after General Anaesthesia in Adult Horses: A Structured Summary of the Literature. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jun 14;11(6).
        doi: 10.3390/ani11061777pubmed: 34198637google scholar: lookup
      4. Ogden NKE, Winderickx K, Bennell A, Stack JD. Computed tomography of the equine caudal spine and pelvis: Technique, image quality and anatomical variation in 56 clinical cases (2018-2023). Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1265-1278.
        doi: 10.1111/evj.14422pubmed: 39390752google scholar: lookup
      5. Manning H, Sampson S. Peri-anaesthetic complications in 1798 equids undergoing high-field elective orthopaedic MRI at a tertiary referral hospital. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):666-673.
        doi: 10.1111/evj.14208pubmed: 39143703google scholar: lookup
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