Prevalence of Anatomical Variation of the Sixth Cervical Vertebra and Association with Vertebral Canal Stenosis and Articular Process Osteoarthritis in the Horse.
Abstract: The sixth cervical vertebra (C6) has unique morphology due to a ventral extension from the transverse process known as the ventral lamina. Little information was found regarding the prevalence and clinical relevance of morphologic variations. Aims of this observational, retrospective study were to characterize C6 morphologic variations in a large sample of horses. Cervical radiographic studies of 100 horses were retrieved. Data recorded were signalment, clinical history, morphology of the C6 ventral lamina, presence of articular process osteoarthritis, and presence of static vertebral canal stenosis. Morphologic variations were found in C6 vertebrae for 24/100 horses, with symmetric absence of the ventral lamina in nine horses and asymmetric absence in 15. Anomalous C6 vertebrae were more common in Warmbloods, with 19/55 Warmbloods in the population being affected (P = 0.006). No association was found with sex. There was no significant difference in the mean of the intravertebral sagittal ratios between horses with normal or anomalous C6 vertebrae; however there was a significantly greater proportion of horses with anomalous C6 vertebrae that had an intravertebral sagittal ratio of less than 0.5 at C6 (P = 0.047). There was no association between the morphology of C6 and articular process osteoarthritis. Anomalous C6 vertebrae in our population were associated with a higher likelihood of cervical pain (P = 0.013). Authors propose that morphologic variations in the C6 ventral laminae could be linked to other developmental abnormalities such as vertebral canal stenosis, might affect regional biomechanics and should therefore be considered clinically relevant in horses. Future, controlled prospective studies are needed to test this theory.
© 2016 American College of Veterinary Radiology.
Publication Date: 2016-02-25 PubMed ID: 26915973DOI: 10.1111/vru.12350Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research examines the unique structures of the sixth cervical vertebra (C6) in horses which, due to a protrusion known as ventral lamina, can vary in form. The study specifically sought to determine the prevalence of such variation in a large horse sample, as well as its clinical significance. Findings indicate that horses with anomalous C6 vertebrae have higher odds of experiencing cervical pain.
Study Overview
- This observational, retrospective study sought to describe the various forms of the sixth cervical vertebra (C6) in horses.
- It used radiographic studies of the cervical vertebrae of 100 horses, recording factors such as the horses’ breed and sex, clinical history, shape of C6 ventral lamina, articular process osteoarthritis and vertebral canal stenosis.
Key Findings
- Out of the 100 horses studied, 24 exhibited morphologic variations in their C6 vertebrae—nine had a symmetric absence of the ventral lamina, and fifteen had an asymmetric absence.
- This irregularity was more prevalent in Warmblood horses with 19 out of 55 Warmblood horses in the study population having this anomaly.
- The study found no correlation between these C6 abnormalities and sex or articular process osteoarthritis. But, horses with unusual C6 vertebrae had a likelihood of a sagittal ratio of less than 0.5 at C6, indicting possible vertebral canal stenosis.
- Interestingly, anomalous C6 vertebrae correlated with a higher likelihood of cervical pain, shedding light on its clinical relevance.
Conclusion and Future Scope
- The authors suggest that these C6 variations could be signs of other developmental abnormalities such as vertebral canal stenosis and impact the biomechanics of the region.
- These findings hint at the clinical significance of C6 anomalies, warranting consideration in equine healthcare and treatment decisions.
- The authors advocate for future prospective studies to further validate this theory and investigate its potential implications.
Cite This Article
APA
DeRouen A, Spriet M, Aleman M.
(2016).
Prevalence of Anatomical Variation of the Sixth Cervical Vertebra and Association with Vertebral Canal Stenosis and Articular Process Osteoarthritis in the Horse.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 57(3), 253-258.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.12350 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616.
- the Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616.
- the Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- California / epidemiology
- Cervical Vertebrae / pathology
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Male
- Osteoarthritis / diagnostic imaging
- Osteoarthritis / epidemiology
- Osteoarthritis / etiology
- Osteoarthritis / veterinary
- Prevalence
- Retrospective Studies
- Spinal Stenosis / diagnostic imaging
- Spinal Stenosis / epidemiology
- Spinal Stenosis / etiology
- Spinal Stenosis / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- May-Davis S, Dzingle D, Saber E, Blades Eckelbarger P. Characterization of the Caudal Ventral Tubercle in the Sixth Cervical Vertebra in Modern Equus ferus caballus.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jul 22;13(14).
- May-Davis S, Hunter R, White R. Morphology of the Ventral Process of the Sixth Cervical Vertebra in Extinct and Extant Equus: Functional Implications.. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 17;13(10).
- Story MR, Haussler KK, Nout-Lomas YS, Aboellail TA, Kawcak CE, Barrett MF, Frisbie DD, McIlwraith CW. Equine Cervical Pain and Dysfunction: Pathology, Diagnosis and Treatment.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 6;11(2).
- Veraa S, Scheffer CJW, Smeets DHM, de Bruin RB, Hoogendoorn AC, Vernooij JCM, Nielen M, Back W. Cervical disc width index is a reliable parameter and consistent in young growing Dutch Warmblood horses.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2020 Oct 13;62(1):11-9.
- Gee C, Small A, Shorter K, Brown WY. A Radiographic Technique for Assessment of Morphologic Variations of the Equine Caudal Cervical Spine.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Apr 12;10(4).
- Haussler KK, Pool RR, Clayton HM. Characterization of bony changes localized to the cervical articular processes in a mixed population of horses.. PLoS One 2019;14(9):e0222989.
- Veraa S, de Graaf K, Wijnberg ID, Back W, Vernooij H, Nielen M, Belt AJM. Caudal cervical vertebral morphological variation is not associated with clinical signs in Warmblood horses.. Equine Vet J 2020 Mar;52(2):219-224.
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