Equine Orthopaedics and Rheumatology Q&A 05

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A myelogram of the lower cervical spine of a 16-year-old Thoroughbred mare which had shown progressive hindlimb ataxia over 18 months is illustrated.

Question	Answer		Article
What radiological abnormalities are present?	There is poor definition of the intervertebral facet joints between cervical vertebrae C6 and C7, and almost complete obliteration of dorsal and ventral contrast columns at the same level.		Link to Article
What is your diagnosis?	Stenosis of the cervical vertebral canal at the C6/7 level (cervical static malformation). A focal compressive myelopathy is relatively uncommon in a horse of this age, but, with this history, when it occurs, it usually involves static compression in the caudal cervical spine.		Link to Article
What other conditions might cause similar signs?	Spinal trauma or infection; Polyneuritis equi (usually other signs of cauda equina syndrome); EHV-1 myeloencephalitis (usually sudden onset rather than progressive); Equine protozoal encephalomyelitis (if the mare is or has been on the American continent); Equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (usually younger horses – forelimbs usually affected as badly as hindlimbs); Spinal or vertebral neoplasia.		Link to Article