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Cross-sectional study of the occurrence of ultrasonographic findings in the cervical articular process joints of showjumping and dressage horses
Tokawa, Paula Keiko Anadão...
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Introduction: Cervical articular process joints (APJ) have been increase focus of attention for changes that could affect equine performance and welfare. Ultrasonographic (US) examination is employed by veterinarians in the field to aid in diagnosis of diseases of APJs along with radiographic assessment. Studies investigating and characterizing the radiographic findings of APJ are common but for US examination are currently scarce. This prospective cross-sectional study aims to identify the occurrence of US findings of APJs of normally performing showjumping and dressage horses. The authors also investigated if there was higher prevalence of each finding for the different APJ levels and if their presence is associated to sports modality or correlated with age.
Methods: Horses were US screened in a systematic manner by the same operator throughout the study. Transverse and longitudinal views were collected from C2-C3 to C7-T1 APJs of all horses. Findings were classified as present/absent by two evaluators in agreement. Association of US findings and sport modality and age was also investigated.
Results: A hundred and fifty horses were included and 1794 APJs were evaluated in the transverse view, while 1445 were successfully acquired for evaluation in the longitudinal view, being this, more difficult to perform. Irregularities in peri-articular bone margins, effusion and echogenic foci were more present than hyperechogenic floating spots. Prevalence of US findings varied according to APJ level. Analysis did not found association between US findings and sports modalities or age.
Discussion/Conclusion: Knowledge of occurrence and prevalence of findings in normally performing populations may help clinicians to better understand significance of findings. US findings investigated in this study were distributed along the cervical APJs and clinicians should bear in mind that their presence may not be associate with an active disorder, therefore, their relevance should be assessed along with clinical findings.
References
- Berg LC, Nielsen JV, Thoefner MB, & Thomsen PD. Ultrasonography of the equine cervical region: a descriptive study in eight horses. Equine Vet J. 2003;35(7):647–655.
- Story MR, Haussler KK, Nout-Lomas YS, Aboellail TA, Kawcak CE, Barrett MF, Frisbie DD, McIlwraith CW. Equine Cervical Pain and Dysfunction: Pathology, Diagnosis and Treatment. Animals. 2021;11(2):422.
- Donati B, Coudry V, Denoix JM, Ohlert S, Dittmann M, Richter H, Weishaupt M, Sanchez-Andrade JS. Findings and interobserver agreement in radiography and ultrasonography of the vertebral column of a large population of normally performing horses. Pferdeheilkunde. 2022. 38:500-514.
- Haussler KK, Pool RR, Clayton HM. Characterization of bony changes localized to the cervical articular processes in a mixed population of horses. PLoS One. 2019. 14(9):e0222989.
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About
Affiliation of the authors at the time of publication
1FMVZ-USP, Department of Internal Medicine, São Paulo, Brasil ; 2Autonomous, Equine practitioner, São Paulo, Brasil
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