Computed tomography and myelography of the equine cervical spine: 180 cases (2013-2018)

Computed tomography (CT) with CT myelography is a novel imaging modality for detailed anatomical imaging and precise diagnosis of equine cervical spine pathology. Computed tomography of the complete cervical vertebral column in live horses has not been reported previously. The objectives of this study were to describe the diagnostic utility of CT and CT myelography in horses, the technique, the type and distribution of lesions and procedure-related complications. Medical records of horses subjected to cervical CT and CT myelography between 2013 and 2018 were reviewed for this retrospective descriptive study. The examinations were performed with horses in lateral recumbency using a large-bore CT scanner. In total, 180 horses were included. The study population consisted of 79.4% Warmblood breed horses, 68.3% were male, the mean age was 7.1 years (range 21 days-21 years), and the bodyweight ranged from 61 to 717 kg (mean 530 kg). Pathology of the cervical vertebral column was identified in 176/180 horses (97.8%) and included osteoarthritis of the articular process joints in 83%. Impingement and compression of the spinal cord were detected using CT myelography in 125/147 horses (85%). Pathology was localised caudal to C5 in 90%. The mean +/- s.d. anaesthesia time was 34 +/- 19 min and 52 +/- 13 min for CT examinations, excluding and including myelography, respectively. Adverse events occurred in 7.2% of the examined horses. The caudal location of the majority of lesions emphasises the importance of good-quality imaging of the most caudal cervical vertebrae in horses with suspected cervical spinal pathology and/or spinal cord compression. Computed tomography imaging enables identification of bony and soft tissue lesions of the entire cervical vertebral column in live, large-breed adult horses.