Influence of head and neck position on radiographic measurement of intervertebral distances between thoracic dorsal spinous processes in clinically sound horses

Berner, Dagmar; Winter, Karsten; Brehm, Walter; Gerlach, Kerstin

doi:10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00678.x

Cited by 33 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The intervertebral DSP distances can also be altered by changing the head and neck position of a horse (Berner 2012). Flexion of the cranial spine and extension of the caudal spine, which is achieved by lowe-…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The radiographic frequency of impingement of the dorsal spinous processes at purchase examination and its clinical significance in 220 warmblood sporthorses

Graaf¹,

Enzerink²,

Oijen³

et al. 2015

PHK

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Summary: A retrospective study of 220 horses was performed to investigate the association between the clinical signs and the radiological findings of impinging dorsal spinous processes (DSPs) in warmblood sporthorses. For this purpose radiographic records were assessed to identify all horses that had undergone radiographic examination of the back as part of a pre-purchase examination between January 2009 and December 2012. The dorsal spinous processes of 239 horses were assessed and each dorsal spinous process was individually graded (0 -3) using a modified 4-group grading system appropriate for routine grading of dorsal spinous processes as part of a pre-purchase examination. Fifty-five percent (n =121) had no radiological abnormalities of the DSPs (grade 0). However, 26,4 % had at least one DSP with grade 1 impingement, 11,8 % had at least one DSP with grade 2 and 6,8 % had at least one DSP with grade 3. Follow-up information was obtained by telephone responses from owners or trainers. The horses were assessed at a mean follow up time after pre-purchase examination of 25,19 ±12,52 months. Based on the clinical signs included in the questionnaire answers horses were divided into two groups; i) thoracolumbar back pain and ii) no thoracolumbar back pain. Only 11,5 % (N = 23) of the 220 horses had shown thoracolumbar back pain. There was no significant association between gender, age or discipline and clinical signs of thoracolumbar back pain. High maximum DSP grade is associated with an increased risk of clinical signs. The specificity of a grade 3 DSP on radiographic screening at pre purchase examinations is high, however the sensitivity is low. This suggests that there is a high risk of clinical signs in horses with grade 3 DSPs and no warranty can be offered for absence of clinical signs for grade 0,1,2.Keywords: back pain / horse / kissing spines / pre purchase / radiology Citation: de Graaf K., Enzerink E., van Oijen P., Smeenk A., Dik K. J. (2015) The radiographic frequency of impingement of the dorsal spinous processes at purchase examination and its clinical significance in 220 warmblood sporthorses. Pferdeheilkunde 31, 461-468

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pferdeheilkunde 31 (2015) 464 ring the head position, leads to reduction of the distances between adjacent dorsal spinous processes (Berner 2012). Penell et al (2007) reported this effect after sedation, which is commonly used to facilitate radiography of the equine thoracolumbar spine.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The radiographic frequency of impingement of the dorsal spinous processes at purchase examination and its clinical significance in 220 warmblood sporthorses

Graaf¹,

Enzerink²,

Oijen³

et al. 2015

PHK

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“…The position of the head and neck also influences the apparent distance between the thoracic DSPs, confounding the issue (Berner et al . ).…”

Section: Radiographic Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 97%

Clinical progress in the diagnosis of thoracolumbar problems in horses

Burns¹,

Dart²,

Jeffcott³

2016

Equine Veterinary Education

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Summary It is well known that a painful back can be responsible for loss of performance in horses. Veterinary examination of the sore back used to be limited to manual palpation with diagnosis confirmed empirically by response to treatment. Today, due to advances in imaging, there are multiple methods for evaluating the pathology of the horse's thoracolumbar (TL) spine. Radiography, ultrasonography, nuclear scintigraphy, thermography and algometry all play a part in developing a better understanding of equine TL problems. Despite this progress, definitive diagnosis can still be problematic. There is a lack of objectivity in understanding the implications of the pathology detected and its effect on the horse. It is difficult to determine the degree of pain experienced by individual horses and how that interferes with their performance and welfare. This paper emphasises the importance of a systematic clinical examination to identify the presence of pain that can be supported by recognition of pathology using a range of diagnostic aids. These will also be reviewed to assist the clinician in understanding the tools available to evaluate a horse with a sore back.

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“…The second study in the imaging session that was featured in the EVJ supplement focused on the effects of positioning on the radiographic distances measured between thoracic dorsal spinous processes . Back pain in horses may be caused by the impingement of nerves between dorsal spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae, and the diagnosis of impingement is made by measuring the radiographic distance between the processes.…”

Section: Diagnostic Imagingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Science in brief: Clinical highlights from the American Association of Equine Practitioners' 58th Annual Convention and Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 43

Collatos¹,

Pearson

2013

Equine Veterinary Journal

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Influence of head and neck position on radiographic measurement of intervertebral distances between thoracic dorsal spinous processes in clinically sound horses

Cited by 33 publications

References 23 publications

The radiographic frequency of impingement of the dorsal spinous processes at purchase examination and its clinical significance in 220 warmblood sporthorses

The radiographic frequency of impingement of the dorsal spinous processes at purchase examination and its clinical significance in 220 warmblood sporthorses

Clinical progress in the diagnosis of thoracolumbar problems in horses

Science in brief: Clinical highlights from the American Association of Equine Practitioners' 58th Annual Convention and Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 43

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