Radiological Methods for the Imaging of Congenital Malformations of C6-T1, the First and Second Sternal Ribs and Development of a Classification System, Demonstrated in Warmblood Horses.
Abstract: There are conflicting data in studies on malformations of the cervicothoracic (C-T) junction (C6 to T2, including the first and second ribs), but evidence is mounting that they can be of clinical significance for horses. The objectives of this study were to establish a radiographic protocol for imaging the C-T junction in the field and to classify the radiographic variations found in 39 warmblood horses presented for clinical evaluation due to behavioral or performance issues. Malformations of the ventral lamina of C6 and transposition onto the ventral aspect of C7 were seen in 37/39 (94.9%) horses for both conditions. Rib anomalies were found among the horses with C6 and C7 malformations. A missing first rib, unilateral or bilateral, was found in 3/35 (11.4%) horses, a unilateral shortening of the rib in 17/35 (48.6%) horses, a bilateral shortening of the ribs in 12/35 (34.3%) horses, bifid ribs in 3/35 (8.6%) horses, and only 4/35 (11.4%) horses had a normal length of the first rib on both sides. There was a moderately to highly significant association between the grades of left and right malformations of C6 and C7 and first ribs as well as between C6 and C7. A large number of malformations were visualized radiographically at the C-T junction using the newly described methods of latero-lateral and oblique radiographic projections, which allows for these features to be identified in living horses.
Publication Date: 2023-12-02 PubMed ID: 38067084PubMed Central: PMC10705149DOI: 10.3390/ani13233732Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article focuses on the development of a radiographic protocol for imaging and classifying abnormalities in certain spinal segments and first and second ribs in warmblood horses. The study findings revealed a high occurrence of these anomalies and established a strong correlation between spinal deformities and rib abnormalities.
Objectives and Methodology
- The primary goals of this study were to develop a reliable radiographic procedure for imaging the cervicothoracic (C-T) junction in horses in the field and to categorize the radiographic variations discovered.
- The researchers concentrated on C6 to T2 spinal segments and the first and second ribs in their investigation.
- The study was conducted on a sample of 39 warmblood horses, chosen due to reported behavioral or performance issues.
- The utilized radiographic techniques were latero-lateral and oblique projections that were able to identify the C-T junction malformations in living horses.
Key Findings
- Anomalies of the ventral lamina of C6 and its transposition onto the ventral aspect of C7 were observed in nearly 95% of horses—37 out of 39, to be precise.
- They also discovered that rib anomalies noticeably occurred among the horses that exhibited C6 and C7 spinal malformations.
- They identified different forms of rib abnormalities, including missing first rib (in 11.4% of horses), unilateral shortening of the rib (48.6%), bilateral shortening of the ribs (34.3%), bifid ribs (8.6%), and a small percentage (11.4%) exhibited the normal length of the first rib on both sides.
- In addition to these findings, the researchers found a significant association between the grades of malformations of C6 and C7 and those of the first ribs. A similar correlation was reported between the deformities of C6 and C7 spinal segments themselves.
Implications of the Study
- This study provides a framework for a new radiographic protocol that can diagnose C6 to T2 spinal and rib abnormalities in horses, a potentially valuable tool in assessing performance or behavioral issues.
- By classifying and grading the discovered abnormalities, the researchers have enabled a better understanding of the correlation between C-T junction and rib deformities, which could improve diagnosis and treatment methods in the future.
- With the high occurrence rate of these malformations, this area may require further research to understand the causes of these deformities, and how to prevent or rectify them to improve the health and performance of such horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Ros KB, Doveren A, Dreessen C, Pellmann R, Beccati F, Zimmermann E, Distl O.
(2023).
Radiological Methods for the Imaging of Congenital Malformations of C6-T1, the First and Second Sternal Ribs and Development of a Classification System, Demonstrated in Warmblood Horses.
Animals (Basel), 13(23), 3732.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13233732 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Clinic PZZ Döhle, 21272 Egestorf, Germany.
- Veterinary Clinic, 5113 TA Ulicoten, The Netherlands.
- Veterinary Clinic, 5113 TA Ulicoten, The Netherlands.
- Veterinary Clinic, 27367 Hellwege, Germany.
- Sports Horse Research Centre, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy.
- Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (Foundation), 30559 Hannover, Germany.
- Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (Foundation), 30559 Hannover, Germany.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest and there are no relevant financial or nonfinancial competing interests to report.
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