Epiduroscopy of the lumbosacral vertebral canal in the horse: Technique and endoscopic anatomy

Abstract

Lumbosacral epiduroscopy is technically feasible in standing horses and may become a valuable diagnostic tool in horses with caudal back or limb pain of unknown origin. Studies in live horses will be necessary to evaluate the safety of the procedure.

Feasibility and safety of lumbosacral epiduroscopy in the standing horse

“…Exclusion criteria were lameness at the walk and ataxia of greater than grade 1 . Furthermore, only horses with a minimum weight of 500 kg were enrolled as the diameter of the vertebral canal at the insertion site may not accommodate the 14 Fr introducer sheath that encloses the endoscope in smaller horses .…”

“…A technique previously described in cadavers was used to enter and examine the lumbosacral epidural space with a flexible video‐endoscope . In brief, flexion and extension of the tail were used to identify the first moveable vertebral joint caudal to the sacrum.…”

“…The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of lumbosacral epiduroscopy in sedated standing horses using a technique previously refined in cadavers . We hypothesised that lumbosacral epiduroscopy would be tolerated by standing adult horses, would enable visualisation of the anatomic structures in the lumbosacral epidural space, and would not result in permanent neurological dysfunction or increased lameness.…”

Response to letter to the Editor. Epiduroscopy of the lumbosacral vertebral canal in the horse: Technique and endoscopic anatomy

“…Thank you for giving us the opportunity to respond to Dr. Josephson's letter, in which she clarifies an interesting aspect of the spinal nerve and nerve root anatomy in the lumbosacral epidural space. Interestingly, one reviewer addressed the same point during the submission process of our manuscript .…”

Letter to the Editor. Epiduroscopy of the lumbosacral vertebral canal in the horse: Technique and endoscopic anatomy

“…In the article by T. Prange, et al , the authors identified the dura mater ‐enclosed structures within the horse's vertebral canal as spinal nerves. In fact, the long structures extending from their origin at the spinal cord nearly to their passage through an intervertebral foramen are dorsal and ventral spinal roots, not spinal nerves.…”