Radiographic retrospective study of the caudal cervical articular process joints in the horse

Abstract

The data in this study support that the size of the caudal cervical APJ at the level of C5-C6, appear to increase with age, but this enlargement may not be significant. Enlargement cannot be associated with breed, sex or discipline of the horse at present, and specific grades and therefore degree of enlargement, cannot necessarily be assumed to be the cause of neurological deficits.

Die Genauigkeit von radiologischen Messungen an Fazettengelenken der Halswirbelsäule beim Pferd

“…In a recent study an objective grading system was introduced for assessment of radiographic changes associated with the caudal articular process joints on lateral views (Down and Henson 2009). In this study the authors demonstrated that an increase in size of the articular process joints of the caudal cervical APJ (mainly C5/6), may be age related and that enlargement of process joints (both C5/6 and C6/7) should not be assumed to be abnormal in all cases.…”

Cervical Vertebral Compressive Myelopathy associated with articular processes osteoarthritis in three horses

“…The diagnosis cannot be made upon radiographic findings alone because similar findings are described in horses without clinical symptoms (Down and Henson 2009). Therefore, the definitive diagnosis has to be validated based on clinical findings.…”

“…Previous studies stated that CVCM can be caused by osteoarthritis, however, the main cause of this abnormality is unknown (Levine et al 2007), and 50 % of asymptomatic adult horses have unilateral or bilateral surface changes of the facet joints and irregular enlargement of the articular processes of the caudal cervical vertebrae (Down andHenson 2009, Dyson 2011). The diagnosis cannot be made upon radiographic findings alone because similar findings are described in horses without clinical symptoms (Down and Henson 2009).…”

“…The CVCM could be localised between C5 -C6, C6 -C7 or C7 -Th1. Horses presented with no neurological signs, neck stiffness, abnormal head and neck posture or fore-limb ataxia, can have a vertebral lesion between C5 -C6 or C6 -C7 (Down and Henson 2009). Paretic horses have a low limb swing phase during the stride, stumble, weak response to sway test, knuckling in downhill walking and difficulties in the fore-limbs hop test.…”

Quantitative assessment of nuclear bone scintigraphy using the ‘regions of interest’ technique as applied to the equine cervical spine

“…Dies gilt vor allem für spondylarthrotische Erkrankungen der Facettengelenke der Halswirbelsäule. Jedoch können bei einem Großteil der klinisch unauffälligen Pferde röntgenologisch sichtbare arthrotische Prozesse, insbesondere im Bereich C6/C7 beobachtet werden (Down und Henson 2009, Whitwell und Dyson 1987.…”