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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Ultrasonography of the equine cervical region: a descriptive...
Equine veterinary journal2003; 35(7); 647-655; doi: 10.2746/042516403775696311

Ultrasonography of the equine cervical region: a descriptive study in eight horses.

Abstract: In equine patients, the cause of clinical signs possibly related to the cervical region is often difficult to diagnose. Ultrasonography allows quick and noninvasive visualisation, but reference material of the normal equine neck is needed. Objective: To describe and document the normal ultrasonographic appearance of transverse scans in the cervical region with emphasis on the synovial articular facet joints, cervical vertebrae and paravertebral structures; and further, to provide images of frozen cross-sections for anatomical reference. Methods: A study describing the normal ultrasonographic appearance of the cervical anatomy was performed. Transverse scans were obtained from second cervical vertebra (C2) to first thoracic vertebra (T1). Post mortem photographs of frozen cross-sections were obtained as anatomical reference. Results: The structures were clearly visualised by ultrasonography and consistency was found between ultrasonographic images and corresponding cross-sectional anatomy. The articular facets varied between horses and facets (C2 to T1). Discrepancy in the existing anatomical descriptions was found. Conclusions: The anatomical and ultrasonographic description provides a reference for ultrasonographic evaluation of equine cervical facet joints, vertebrae and paravertebral structures. The findings and variations found are considered to reflect the naturally occurring variations in horses.
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Publication Date: 2003-12-03 PubMed ID: 14649355DOI: 10.2746/042516403775696311Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article

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 article discusses a study on the use of ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool for identifying issues in the neck region of horses. The study includes the creation of reference material from normal equine necks as a basis for future investigations and diagnoses.

Objective and Methods

  • The aim of the study is to document the typical ultrasonic appearance of transverse (cross-sectional) scans on the cervical region in horses. The particular focus was on the synovial articular facet joints, cervical vertebrae, and paravertebral structures.
  • The researchers used ultrasonography to create transverse scans of the neck region, from the second cervical vertebra (C2) to the first thoracic vertebra (T1) in eight horses.
  • In addition to ultrasonography, the team also utilized post-mortem photographs of frozen cross-sections. These images served as an anatomical reference for comparison and validation of ultrasonic results.

Results

  • The use of ultrasonography allowed clear visualization of the structures in the equine neck region.
  • The study found consistency between ultrasonographic images and corresponding cross-sectional anatomy from the frozen sections, validating the effectiveness of the ultrasonography method.
  • The study identified variations in the appearance of articular facets across different horses and vertebrae from C2 to T1.
  • The observed discrepancies between existing descriptions of equine anatomy highlight the need for updated and accurate reference material.

Conclusions

  • The new anatomical and ultrasonographic descriptions that resulted from this research provide an invaluable reference for future ultrasonographic evaluations of various structures in the equine cervical region.
  • The variations in the articular facets identified in the study are interpreted as reflections of naturally occurring variations among individual horses.
  • This collection of reference images and descriptions could improve diagnostic accuracy in identifying cervical region-related health issues in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Berg LC, Nielsen JV, Thoefner MB, Thomsen PD. (2003). Ultrasonography of the equine cervical region: a descriptive study in eight horses. Equine Vet J, 35(7), 647-655. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516403775696311

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 35
Issue: 7
Pages: 647-655

Researcher Affiliations

Berg, L C
  • Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University of Copenhagen, Bülowsvej 17, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
Nielsen, J V
    Thoefner, M B
      Thomsen, P D

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Cervical Vertebrae / anatomy & histology
        • Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
        • Horses / anatomy & histology
        • Neck Muscles / anatomy & histology
        • Neck Muscles / diagnostic imaging
        • Reference Values
        • Thoracic Vertebrae / anatomy & histology
        • Thoracic Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
        • Ultrasonography

        Citations

        This article has been cited 7 times.
        1. Story MR, Nout-Lomas YS, Aboellail TA, Selberg KT, Barrett MF, Mcllwraith CW, Haussler KK. Dangerous Behavior and Intractable Axial Skeletal Pain in Performance Horses: A Possible Role for Ganglioneuritis (14 Cases; 2014-2019). Front Vet Sci 2021;8:734218.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.734218pubmed: 34957274google scholar: lookup
        2. Ravikanth R. Diagnostic Accuracy and Prognostic Significance of Point-Of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) for Traumatic Cervical Spine in Emergency care setting: A Comparison of clinical outcomes between POCUS and Computed Tomography on a Cohort of 284 Cases and Review of Literature. J Craniovertebr Junction Spine 2021 Jul-Sep;12(3):257-262.
          doi: 10.4103/jcvjs.jcvjs_3_21pubmed: 34728992google scholar: lookup
        3. 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).
          doi: 10.3390/ani11020422pubmed: 33562089google scholar: lookup
        4. Rijckaert J, Pardon B, Van Ham L, Joosten P, van Loon G, Deprez P. Magnetic motor evoked potentials of cervical muscles in horses. BMC Vet Res 2018 Sep 24;14(1):290.
          doi: 10.1186/s12917-018-1620-zpubmed: 30249249google scholar: lookup
        5. Shearer TR, Kinsley MA, Pease AP, Patterson JS. Development of a minimally invasive approach to equine cervical articular facet joints for placement of an ND:YAG LASER. Can Vet J 2017 Nov;58(11):1181-1186.
          pubmed: 29089655
        6. Agrawal D, Sinha TP, Bhoi S. Assessment of ultrasound as a diagnostic modality for detecting potentially unstable cervical spine fractures in pediatric severe traumatic brain injury: A feasibility study. J Pediatr Neurosci 2015 Apr-Jun;10(2):119-22.
          doi: 10.4103/1817-1745.159196pubmed: 26167212google scholar: lookup
        7. Nocera I, Di Franco C, Sorvillo B, Aliboni B, Bucchioni E, Sgorbini M, Sala G, Citi S. Evaluation of the feasibility of equine in-vivo ultrasound technique for the medial branch of the dorsal ramus of the cervical spinal nerves. Vet Q 2024 Dec;44(1):1-5.
          doi: 10.1080/01652176.2024.2403456pubmed: 39267500google scholar: lookup
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