Relationship between scintigraphic and radiographic evaluations of spinous processes in the thoracolumbar spine in riding horses without clinical signs of back problems.
Abstract: Radiography and scintigraphy are used to aid diagnosis of the cause of back pain, but a large variation in appearance and radiopharmaceutical uptake in fully functioning horses make diagnosis difficult. Objective: To describe the range of and compare scintigraphic and radiographic findings in the spinous processes of horses without clinical signs of back problems. Methods: Thirty-three apparently normal riding horses underwent scintigraphic and radiographic examinations of the spinous processes in the thoracolumbar spine. Scintigraphic images were evaluated in a continuous blue, green and red colour scale, and the level of radiopharmaceutical uptake in the spinous processes from T10-L2 was graded into none, mild, moderate or severe increased radiopharmaceutical uptake. Structural changes along the borders of the spinous processes and the width of the interspinous spaces from T10-L2 were recorded. Results: Only 7 horses had no scintigraphic or radiographic findings. Nine horses had no increased radiopharmaceutical uptake, 17 had no sclerosis, 21 had no radiolucencies and 11 had normal spacing of the spinous processes (>4 mm wide). The majority of findings in 26 horses were located from T13-18 and were mild. Conclusions: The findings of a wide spectrum of scintigraphic and radiographic changes leads to the conclusion that changes within this range found in affected horses cannot be interpreted as clinically significant. Conclusions: To determine whether scintigraphy and/or radiography can be used to separate horses with back pain from horses without clinical signs, the results from this study should be compared to the scintigraphic and radiographic findings in horses with clinical signs.
Publication Date: 2004-10-06 PubMed ID: 15460068DOI: 10.2746/0425164044877341Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- 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 explores the correlation between scintigraphic and radiographic evaluations of spinous processes in the thoracolumbar spine of riding horses without back issues. The findings suggest a wide array of scintigraphic and radiographic changes in the spinous processes, implying that these changes in afflicted horses may not necessarily indicate clinical significance.
Methodology
- The study involved 33 seemingly normal riding horses.
- The horses underwent scintigraphic and radiographic evaluations of the spinous processes in their thoracolumbar spines.
- The scintigraphic images were evaluated using a continuous blue, green, and red color scale, and the levels of radiopharmaceutical uptake in the spinous processes were categorized into none, mild, moderate, or severe.
- The research also recorded structural changes along the borders of the spinous processes and the width of the interspinous spaces.
Results
- The study found that only 7 out of the 33 horses had no scintigraphic or radiographic findings.
- Out of the total, 9 horses showed no increased radiopharmaceutical uptake, 17 displayed no sclerosis, 21 had no radiolucencies, and 11 exhibited normal spacing of the spinous processes (>4 mm wide).
- The majority of findings in 26 horses, were minor and located from T13-18.
Conclusions
- The wide range of scintigraphic and radiographic changes found in these horses that showed no clinical signs of back problems indicates that such alterations seen in affected horses may not hold clinical significance.
- The researchers also suggest a need for further study, proposing a comparison of the results from this study with scintigraphic and radiographic findings in horses exhibiting clinical signs. This can help determine whether scintigraphy and radiography can effectively distinguish between horses with back pain and those without clinical signs.
Cite This Article
APA
Erichsen C, Eksell P, Holm KR, Lord P, Johnston C.
(2004).
Relationship between scintigraphic and radiographic evaluations of spinous processes in the thoracolumbar spine in riding horses without clinical signs of back problems.
Equine Vet J, 36(6), 458-465.
https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044877341 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, 0033 Oslo, Norway.
MeSH Terms
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Back Pain / diagnostic imaging
- Back Pain / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horses
- Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
- Male
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Radiography
- Radionuclide Imaging
- Reference Values
- Technetium Tc 99m Medronate
- Thoracic Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
