Dynamic three-dimensional computed tomographic imaging facilitates evaluation of the equine cervical articular process joint in motion.

BACKGROUND: Dynamic computed tomography (CT) imaging has been introduced in human orthopaedics and is continuing to gain popularity. With dynamic CT, video sequences of anatomical structures can be evaluated in motion. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the feasibility of dynamic CT for diagnostic imaging of the equine cervical articular process joints (APJs) and to give a detailed description of the APJ movement pattern. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive cadaver imaging. METHODS: Cervical specimens of twelve Warmblood horses were included. A custom-made motorised testing device was used to position and manipulate the neck specimens and perform dynamic 2D and 3D CT imaging. Images were obtained with a 320-detector-row CT scanner with a 160 mm wide-area (2D) solid-state detector design that allows image acquisition of a volumetric axial length of 160 mm without moving the CT couch. Dynamic videos were acquired and divided into four phases of movement. Three blinded observers used a subjective scale of 1 (excellent) to 4 (poor) to grade the overall image quality in each phases of motion cycle. RESULTS: With an overall median score of 1 the image quality, a significantly lower score was observed in the dynamic 3D videos over the four phases by the three observers compared with the 2D videos for both flexion (3D 95% CI: 1-2 and 2D 95% CI: 1-3; P = .007) and extension movement (3D 95% CI: 1-2 and 2D 95% CI: 1-3; P = .008). Median Translational displacement of the APJ surface was significantly greater in flexion than in extension movement (P = .002). MAIN LIMITATIONS: The small number of specimens included. Excision of spines and removal of musculature. CONCLUSIONS: The study is a first step in the investigation of the potential of dynamic 3D CT in veterinary medicine, a technique that has only begun to be explored and leaves much room for refinement prior to its introduction in routine practice. CT with a detector coverage of 16 cm and a rotation speed of 0.32 seconds provides high-quality images of moving objects and gives new insight into the movement pattern of equine cervical APJs.

Arthroscopic removal of osteochondral fragments of the cervical articular process joints in three horses.

OBJECTIVE: To report arthroscopic osteochondral fragment removal from the equine cervical spine articular process joints (APJs) including long-term follow-up. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: Three Warmblood horses with forelimb lameness and/or reduced range of motion of the cervical spine with osteochondral fragments between the cervical vertebrae C5 /C6 or C6 /C7 . METHOD: Arthroscopy of the APJs of C5 /C6 and C6 /C7 was performed under general anesthesia. Following endoscopic evaluation of the joints, osteochondral fragments were removed using a rongeur. RESULTS: All horses recovered from anesthesia with no anesthetic or minor postanesthetic complications. One horse needed a second procedure for fragment removal. Fourteen to 31 months post-surgery the horses were sound for their intended use and neurological examination revealed no abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic removal of osteochondral fragments can be performed safely in the equine cervical APJs of C5 /C6 and C6 /C7 resulting in a favorable long-term outcome. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Arthroscopic removal is a valid option for horses showing clinical signs that can be attributed to osteochondral fragments in the APJs of the neck.

Computed Tomographic Evaluation of Adjacent Segment Motion after Ex Vivo Fusion of Equine Third and Fourth Cervical Vertebrae.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical fusion of vertebral segments is a treatment option for horses with cervical stenotic myelopathy or cervical fracture.Degenerative disease affecting adjacent vertebral segments is a reported complication following surgical vertebral fusion in other species, termed adjacent segment disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of cervical vertebral fusion on the biomechanics of adjacent vertebral segments in the horse. STUDY DESIGN: Neck specimens of 12 horses were assessed using computed tomographic imaging. Range of motion (ROM) was determined by measuring the maximum sagittal flexion, extension and lateral bending between C2 and C5. C3/4 was subsequently fused using a standard locking compression plate and locking head screws and computed tomographic scans and ROM measurements were repeated. RESULTS: Prior to intervertebral fusion, a significant increase in ROM along the vertebral segments from cranial to caudal was observed. Range of motion measurements of C3/4 decreased significantly after fusion (p = 0.01).Range of motion of the adjacent segments (C2/3 and C4/5) did not change significantly after fusion. CONCLUSION: Fusion of one cervical intervertebral joint did not affect the ROM of the adjacent vertebral segments. Further research investigating the implications of vertebral fusion on the intervertebral pressure in the equine patient is indicated.

Internal fixation of a complete ventral luxation of the dens axis in an American quarter horse yearling.

OBJECTIVE: To report surgical treatment of a complete luxation of the atlantoaxial articulation with a 4.5-mm T-locking compression plate (T-LCP) in a horse. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMALS: A one-year-old American quarter horse filly. METHODS: A one-year-old American quarter horse filly presented with a complete luxation of the atlantoaxial articulation. Closed and open reduction of the luxation were attempted under general anesthesia with the aid of a pulley system. Because the manual reduction was unsuccessful, the dens axis was excised, and the atlas and axis were stabilized with a 4.5-mm T-LCP. Four 5.5-mm cortex screws were placed across the atlantoaxial articulation in lag fashion to provide additional stability. RESULTS: The horse made an uneventful recovery from surgery and remained comfortable thereafter. Nine months postsurgery, the filly had developed normally and did not show any sign of ataxia or reduced mobility of the cranial neck. CONCLUSION: The described surgical approach resulted in the successful stabilization of a complete luxation of the atlantoaxial articulation in an American quarter horse yearling, with a favorable outcome. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Complete atlantoaxial luxation is associated with a poor prognosis for survival in horses. This is the first report of a favorable outcome after surgical stabilization. The described approach presents a valuable alternative to the manual reduction of atlantoaxial luxation in horses.

Comprehensive analysis of polyphenols in 55 extra virgin olive oils by HPLC-ECD and their correlation with antioxidant activities.

In this study, we analyzed eight phenolic compounds (tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, pinoresinol, and caffeic, ferulic, vanillic, and p-coumaric acid) in 55 mono- and multivarietal extra virgin olive oil samples by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to a coulometric electrochemical array detector (ECD). The phenolic profile of olive oil samples differed depending on the geographical origin and olive variety. The total reducing capacity (total phenolics) of olive oils ranged from about 40 to 530 mg gallic acid equivalents/kg oil. Tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol and pinoresinol were the most abundant phenolic compounds in olive oils. The antioxidant capacity of the olive oil extracts was determined by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. Total reducing capacity was significatly correlated with FRAP (R² = 0.91, p < 0.001) and TEAC (R² = 0.92, p < 0.001) values. Total reducing capacity, TEAC and FRAP values were significantly correlated with tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol as well as oleuropein concentrations. Hydroxytyrosol, comprising over 40 % of total olive oil phenolics, mainly contributed to the antioxidant activity of olive oils. The present study provides a comprehensive database of polyphenols in olive oils from 9 different countries and four continents.