Scilimati Nicola, Angeli Giovanni, Di Meo Antonio, Dall'Aglio Cecilia, Pepe Marco, Beccati Francesca
Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, PG, Italy.
Sport Horse Research Centre, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, PG, Italy.
Animals (Basel). 2023 Feb 19;13(4):743. doi: 10.3390/ani13040743.
The radiographic, ultrasonographic, and scintigraphic findings of horses with thoracolumbosacral pain have been previously reported. In this study, the computed tomographic appearance of anatomical variations and pathological changes of the equine caudal lumbar region through a post-mortem examination were investigated. A total of 40 horses that had died or were submitted for euthanasia, for reasons unrelated to the study, were included in the study. From all the specimens, the modified vertebral system was adopted to evaluate and describe the four most caudal lumbar vertebrae, which were numbered from a caudal reference point (lumbosacral junction), with the segment number designated within parentheses (i.e., L(i)-L(iv)). Contact of the spinous processes was detected in 21 specimens (54%) and fusion in 6 specimens (15%). Lumbar spondylosis was seen in 17 specimens (42.5%), more commonly on the lateral aspect or on both ventral and lateral aspects in 12 specimens (71%). The presence of spondylosis was found more commonly in older horses ( < 0.001). There was no difference in bony density in specimens with spondylosis or spinous processes contact compared to specimens without. The highest prevalence of bony changes was found at L(ii)-L(i) intertransverse joints in 28 specimens (97%) on the left and in 22 specimens (96%) on the right side. Spondylolisthesis and partial fusion of the L(ii)-L(i) vertebral disc were found in association with degenerative pathologies. This study showed a high frequency of several anatomical variations and acquired osseous pathological changes in the most caudal lumbar vertebrae via a CT examination.
此前已有关于患有胸腰荐部疼痛马匹的放射学、超声检查及闪烁扫描检查结果的报道。在本研究中，通过尸体剖检调查了马尾部腰椎区域解剖变异及病理变化的计算机断层扫描表现。共有40匹因与本研究无关的原因死亡或被实施安乐死的马匹纳入本研究。从所有标本中，采用改良的椎骨系统评估和描述最尾端的4节腰椎，从尾侧参考点（腰荐关节）开始编号，节段编号标注在括号内（即L(i)-L(iv)）。在21个标本（54%）中检测到棘突接触，6个标本（15%）中检测到融合。在17个标本（42.5%）中可见腰椎关节强硬，更常见于12个标本（71%）的外侧或腹侧及外侧。关节强硬在老龄马中更常见（<0.001）。与无关节强硬或棘突接触的标本相比，有关节强硬或棘突接触的标本在骨密度上无差异。在左侧28个标本（97%）和右侧22个标本（96%）的L(ii)-L(i)横突间关节处发现骨变化的发生率最高。在L(ii)-L(i)椎间盘发现椎体前移和部分融合与退行性病变相关。本研究显示，通过CT检查发现最尾端腰椎存在多种解剖变异和后天性骨质病理变化的频率较高。
