Scintigraphic evaluation of the thoracic spine in the asymptomatic riding horse.
Abstract: Scintigraphic evaluation of the spinous processes of the equine spine has been done by subjective evaluation of radiotracer uptake in clinically abnormal horses. To determine the range of variation in asymptomatic riding horses, 33 normal horses were examined. Two 60 degrees oblique views of the thoracic and lumbar spine were evaluated subjectively, and a semi quantitative method based on standardized regions of interest in each spinous process in T10-L3 was also applied. A ratio between each spinous process and a reference area (Rib 15 or 16) was calculated. The effects of two different color displays and a smoothing filter were assessed. The results of the subjective evaluation was compared to the calculated ratios, and the associations between age, gender, weight, height, use and increased radiotracer uptake, and ratios were analyzed. No significant association was found between age, gender, weight, height, use and increased radiotracer uptake, or ratio. One or more areas of increased radiotracer uptake between T13 and T18 were common in the asymptomatic riding horse, which may have implications for the interpretation of clinical patients. The blue, green and red color display had a higher sensitivity for detecting increased radiotracer uptake compared to the continuous grayscale. The smoothing filter used in this study had no effect on the detection of areas with increased radiotracer uptake. The association between the results of the subjective evaluation and the semi quantitative method was apparent when analyzed in T13-17. To evaluate if the semi quantitative method can replace the subjective evaluation, studies on clinically affected horses are necessary.
Publication Date: 2003-06-21 PubMed ID: 12816378DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2003.tb00465.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Evaluation Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study investigates common variations in the spine of regular riding horses using a scintigraphic evaluation technique. Results shed light on links between certain factors such as age, gender and weight, and increased radiotracer uptake, providing insights useful in interpreting clinical cases.
Methodology
- The study focused on 33 healthy, regularly ridden horses.
- Two specific perspectives of the horses’ thoracic and lumbar spine were taken for evaluation, which was both subjective and semi-quantitative.
- A ratio was calculated using a reference area, either Rib 15 or 16, in relation to each spinous process from T10-L3 to ensure a standardized method of evaluation.
Investigated Factors
- The effects of differing color displays were investigated, along with the impact of a smoothing filter.
- The study also aimed to identify any correlations between age, gender, weight, height, and the horse’s use and role, with an increased uptake of the radiotracer.
Results and Conclusions
- No considerable correlations were found between age, gender, weight, height, use and raised radiotracer uptake, or ratio.
- In regular riding horses, areas of increased radiotracer absorption were found to be commonplace between T13 and T18, an insight of key importance for clinical interpretations.
- The blue, green, and red color display was found to be superior for spotting increased radiotracer uptake compared to the continuous grayscale.
- The smoothing filter applied for this study had no notable effect on identifying areas with heightened radiotracer uptake.
- A visible correlation was found between the results from the subjective evaluation and the semi quantitative method, particularly when analyzed in T13-17.
- To establish whether the semi-quantitative method can substitute the subjective evaluation, further studies on clinically affected horses are required.
Cite This Article
APA
Erichsen C, Eksell P, Widström C, Roethlisberger Holm K, Johnston C, Lord P.
(2003).
Scintigraphic evaluation of the thoracic spine in the asymptomatic riding horse.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 44(3), 330-338.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8261.2003.tb00465.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, 0033 Oslo, Norway.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Male
- Radionuclide Imaging / standards
- Radionuclide Imaging / veterinary
- Reference Values
- Spine / anatomy & histology
- Spine / diagnostic imaging
- Spine / metabolism
- Technetium Tc 99m Medronate / pharmacokinetics
- Thoracic Vertebrae / anatomy & histology
- Thoracic Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Biedrzycki AH, Elane GL. Three-Dimensional Modeling and In Silico Kinematic Evaluation of Interspinous Ligament Desmotomy in Horses. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022;10:817300.
- Gutierrez-Quintana R, Lindley S, Sullivan M, Penderis J, Wessmann A. Dorsal spinous process impingement syndrome ('kissing spine') in a cat: imaging appearance and surgical management. J Feline Med Surg 2011 Aug;13(8):618-21.
- Pilati N, Pressanto MC, Palumbo Piccionello A, De Angelis Corvi F, Beccati F. Impinging and Overriding Spinous Processes in Horses: A Narrative Review. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 13;15(18).
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