Sensory nerve conduction stimulus threshold measurements of the infraorbital nerve and its applicability as a diagnostic tool in horses with trigeminal-mediated headshaking.
Abstract: To determine whether sensory nerve conduction stimulus threshold measurements of the infraorbital nerve are able to differentiate horses with idiopathic trigeminal-mediated headshaking (i-TMHS) from healthy horses and from horses with secondary trigeminal-mediated headshaking (s-TMHS). In a prospective trial, headshaking horses were examined using a standardized diagnostic protocol, including advanced diagnostics such as computed tomography and 3-Tesla-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to differentiate s-TMHS from i-TMHS. Clinically healthy horses served as controls. Within this process, patients underwent general anesthesia, and the minimal sensory nerve conduction stimulus threshold (SNCT) of the infraorbital nerve was measured using a bipolar concentric needle electrode. Sensory nerve action potentials (SNAP) were assessed in 2.5-5 mA intervals. Minimal SNCT as well as additional measurements were calculated. Results: In 60 horses, SNAP could be recorded, of which 43 horses had i-TMHS, six had suspected s-TMHS, three horses had non-facial headshaking, and eight healthy horses served as controls. Controls had a minimal SNCT ≥ 15 mA, whereas 14/43 horses with i-TMHS and 2/6 horses with s-TMHS showed a minimal SNCT ≤ 10 mA. Minimal SNCT ≤ 10 mA showed 100% specificity to distinguish TMHS from controls, but the sensitivity was only 41%. Conclusions: A minimal SNCT of the infraorbital nerve ≤ 10 mA was able to differentiate healthy horses from horses with TMHS. Nevertheless, a higher minimal SNCT did not exclude i-TMHS or s-TMHS and minimal SNCT does not distinguish s-TMHS from i-TMHS.
© 2024. The Author(s).
Publication Date: 2024-05-16 PubMed ID: 38750534PubMed Central: PMC11097574DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04068-xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article investigates if sensory nerve conduction measures of a particular nerve in horses can help distinguish healthy horses from those with ‘headshaking‘ conditions. It also aims to differentiate two types of the condition, having idiopathic or secondary causes.
Objective and Methods of the Study
- The research aimed to ascertain if the sensory nerve conduction stimulus threshold (SNCT) measurements of the infraorbital nerve can distinguish between healthy horses, those with idiopathic trigeminal-mediated headshaking (i-TMHS), and those with secondary trigeminal-mediated headshaking (s-TMHS).
- In a prospective trial, horses who displayed the headshaking symptoms underwent comprehensive diagnostic procedures, including advanced imaging techniques like computed tomography and 3-Tesla-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- During these procedures, the horses were under general anesthesia. A bipolar concentric needle electrode was used to measure the minimal SNCT of the infraorbital nerve in these horses.
- Sensory nerve action potentials (SNAP) were assessed in 2.5-5 mA intervals, and the minimum SNCT along with other measurements were recorded for analysis.
Results of the Study
- In total, 60 horses were part of the study. SNAP recordings were successful in these horses, with 43 of them having i-TMHS, six suspected to have s-TMHS, three suffering from non-facial headshaking, and eight being healthy.
- Healthy horses were found to have a minimal SNCT equal to or more than 15 mA. In contrast, 14 of the 43 horses with i-TMHS and 2 of the 6 horses with s-TMHS showed a minimal SNCT equal to or less than 10 mA.
- The study observed a 100% specificity in distinguishing headshaking horses from healthy ones when the minimal SNCT was less than or equal to 10 mA. However, the sensitivity was only 41%.
Conclusions and Implications
- The study concluded that a minimum SNCT of the infraorbital nerve equal to or less than 10 mA could serve as a distinguishing identifier for healthy horses and those with TMHS.
- However, having a minimum SNCT higher than this value does not conclusively indicate the absence of i-TMHS or s-TMHS in horses.
- Additionally, the measurement of minimum SNCT failed to distinguish between differing causes of headshaking in horses.
- This study suggests that while the SNCT holds potential as a diagnostic tool for TMHS in horses, its exact effectiveness and limitations require further research.
Cite This Article
APA
Nessler JN, Delarocque J, Kloock T, Twele L, Neudeck S, Meyerhoff N, Riese F, Cavalleri JV, Tipold A, Feige K, Niebuhr T.
(2024).
Sensory nerve conduction stimulus threshold measurements of the infraorbital nerve and its applicability as a diagnostic tool in horses with trigeminal-mediated headshaking.
BMC Vet Res, 20(1), 201.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-024-04068-x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Small Animal Internal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Foundation, Hannover, Germany. jasmin.nessler@tiho-hannover.de.
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
- Department of Small Animal Internal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
- Department of Small Animal Internal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
- Clinical unit of equine internal medicine, Department of small animals and horses, University of veterinary medicine, Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Small Animal Internal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Female
- Male
- Neural Conduction / physiology
- Head
- Prospective Studies
- Trigeminal Nerve / physiology
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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