Imaging the equine neck

Abstract

The equine cervical spine is commonly implicated as the cause of ataxia, proprioceptive reflex deficits and potentially lameness. The cervical spine can be affected by a variety of conditions, including cervical vertebral malformation, articular process joint degenerative joint disease, congenital malformations, fractures and less frequently neoplasia. Surface palpation can only provide minimal diagnostic information, and imaging is therefore typically required. Radiography provides the mainstay of front-line imaging, with the use of laterolateral and oblique projections now commonplace. Advanced imaging options, furthered by the availability of large-bore computed tomography (CT) units, are revolutionising the ability to assess the neck; however, further work is required to fully validate CT myelography as a stand-alone technique to diagnose spinal cord compression. This may have potential to become a gold standard imaging test of the future.