top of page
Writer's picturethirzahendriks

X-ray findings & anatomical variations of the caudal cervical area in horses with neck pain & ataxia

Authors: Francesca Beccati Jose Manuel Romero, Marco Pepe, Isabella Santinelli, Rodolfo Gialletti and Antonio Di Meo. Published: Veterinary Record (2020) 1-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vetrec-2019-105756

Abstract (click on the link above to download the full article): Background: Abnormalities of the ventral lamina of the sixth cervical vertebra (AVL-C6) are thought to exert abnormal stress on the articular process joints (APJs) of the cervicothoracic junction. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between AVL-C6 and radiographic findings in the caudal cervical area and between clinical signs of neck pain and ataxia and radiographic findings.


Methods: Medical records of horses subjected to cervical radiography were reviewed. Horses were classified into those with neck pain (group C), those with ataxia (group A) and healthy horses (group H). Presence of AVL-C6 and increased size, dysplasia, remodelling, fragmentation and osteochondral fragment at the APJs (C5–T1) were recorded. Univariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the associations between explanatory and dependent variables. Variables with P<0.2 were included in the multivariable analysis.


Results: One hundred and sixteen horses were included (44 in group C, 29 in group A, 66 in group H); 24 of 116 horses had radiographic AVL-C6. Age, AVL-C6 and overall/C6–C7 increase in size remained in the final models. Conclusions The presence of AVL-C6 and moderate/severe increase in size of the caudal cervical APJs increase the odds of showing neck pain and, if severe, ataxia.


232 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page