Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Horse with trouble walking and neck pain due to disc disease
By Mól, Michał et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2024·Paragon Veterinary Referrals, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Equine intervertebral disc disease with dorsal protrusion and spinal cord compression: A computed tomography, myelography, MRI, and histopathologic case study.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 3-year-old American Saddlebred gelding was brought in because he was getting weaker in all four legs, had trouble walking, and was very sensitive around his neck. Imaging tests showed that his spinal cord was being compressed in certain areas of his neck, particularly between the sixth and seventh vertebrae. Further scans revealed that a disc in his spine was bulging out and causing serious issues. After he passed away, a thorough examination confirmed the presence of these problems. This case is notable because it is the first time such a condition has been confirmed using several advanced imaging techniques.
Abstract
A 3-year-old American Saddlebred gelding presented for progressive tetraparesis, ataxia, and cervical hyperaesthesia. Radiographic myelography identified spinal cord compression at C6-7 in neutral, extended, and flexed positions and at C4-5 in the flexed position. CT myelography and postmortem MRI identified severe vertebral canal stenosis/compression at C6-7. MRI further identified severe intervertebral disc herniation at C6-7 with intramedullary changes. Disc protrusion was confirmed macroscopically at postmortem. Lesions consistent with compressive myelopathy were confirmed microscopically at C6-7. This is the first report of equine disc protrusion and myelocompression confirmed by multiple advanced imaging modalities and postmortem examination.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38785345/