CT measures of osseous cervicothoracic intervertebral foramina are repeatable and associated with CT measures of adjacent articular processes in horses. Issue 1 (5th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rovel, Tibor; Duchateau, Luc; Saunders, Jimmy; Vandenberghe, Filip; Vanderperren, Katrien
• Is Part Of: Veterinary radiology & ultrasound. Volume 64:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 61
• Page End: 68
• Publication Date: 2022-09-05
• Subjects: horse -- computed tomography -- cervical; Veterinary radiology -- Periodicals; Radiologie vétérinaire -- Périodiques; Échographie vétérinaire -- Périodiques; Radiography -- Periodicals; Ultrasonography -- Periodicals; Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; Societies, Medical -- Periodicals; 636.089607
• DOI: 10.1111/vru.13158
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1058-8183

Abstract

Abstract: Narrowing of the equine cervicothoracic intervertebral foramina (IF) has the potential to cause forelimb lameness and/or neck pain although limited information is available on CT of the IF. The aims of this retrospective, analytical study were to describe a protocol for quantifying CT cervicothoracic IF size; evaluate the repeatability of IF size measures; test associations between IF size and adjacent articular process (AP) size, ventral extent, and anatomic location; and determine the proportion of IF with narrowing. Computed tomographic images were acquired in 20 Warmblood horses that presented with forelimb lameness and/or neck pain. All IF between C5 and T2 (n = 160) were evaluated. IF cross‐sectional area (CSA), APCSA, and AP ventral extent were measured. The repeatability of IFCSA measurement was calculated. Possible associations between IFCSA and: APCSA, ventral extent, side, or location were assessed. IF narrowing was defined as more than 50% of reduction in IF height when compared with its widest part(s). The repeatability of IFCSA measurement was excellent. There was a significant association between IFCSA and: APCSA ( P < 0.001; R 2 = 0.859; slope = −0.106), ventral extent ( P = 0.022; R 2 = 0.161; slope = −0.0617), and location ( P < 0.001; higher values between C7 and T2). The association between IFCSA and ventral extent was small. Narrowing was identified in 61 (38.1%) IF. Maximum degree of narrowing was most common at the cranial (26.3%) and middle (68.8%) third of the IF. Narrowing was not identified at T1‐T2. In conclusion, CT cervicothoracic IF size can be measured with excellent repeatability, and associations were found between IF size and: AP size, ventral extent, and location.