Work

Computed tomographic myelography of the cranial cervical vertebral column in unaffected Warmblood horses – comparison of transverse vertebral ratios in the flexed and neutral cranial cervical vertebral column

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Computed tomographic myelography (CTM) is diagnostic for extradural spinal cord compression but knowledge about vertebral ratios from transverse images in flexion and normal position of unaffected horses is lacking. OBJECTIVES: To compare the ratios of the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the spinal cord, the vertebral canal and of the contrast enhanced dural tube on transverse CTM images at C3-C4 in neutral and flexed positions in unaffected Warmbloods. METHODS: CTM was performed in 13 neurologically unaffected Warmbloods in neutral and flexed cervical vertebral column positions. Ratios were calculated at intervertebral (inter1-3) and intravertebral (cranial, middle, caudal) sites. The cord canal area ratio (CCAR = CSA spinal cord / CSA vertebral canal), the dural canal area ratios (DCAR = CSA contrast enhanced dural tube / CSA vertebral canal) and the cord dural area ratios (CDAR = CSA spinal cord / CSA contrast enhanced dural tube) were calculated and compared between different cervical positions. RESULTS: DCAR decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the flexed compared to the neutral position. Reductions were intravertebral at the cranial and caudal sites of C3 and C4. At the intervertebral sites, there was a significant decrease at inter1 and inter2. CDAR increased significantly (p < 0.05) at all intervertebral locations (inter 1-3) in the flexed cervical vertebral column compared to the neutral position. CONCLUSIONS: Flexion of the cervical vertebral column led to a decrease of the DCAR and an increase of the CDAR at the intervertebral sites in unaffected Warmbloods.

Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105735

Authors: Maren Hellige, Caroline Schröder, Frauke Seehusen, Karl Rohn, Florian Geburek

Institution: University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation

Language: English

Topic: Veterinary Orthopedics and Neurology

Subfield: Small Animals

Field: Veterinary

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,210