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Multicenter case-control study of signalment, diagnostic features, and outcome associated with cervical vertebral
Jonathan M Levine1, Peter V Scrivani, Thomas J Divers
1Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA. jlevine@cvm.tamu.edu
Insights
Younger horses and specific breeds are more prone to cervical vertebral malformation-malarticulation (CVM). Diagnosis can be challenging, with gait asymmetry and neck sensitivity being common indicators.
Area of Science:
- Equine veterinary neurology
- Comparative pathology
Background:
- Cervical vertebral malformation-malarticulation (CVM) is a neurological condition affecting horses.
- Understanding risk factors and diagnostic challenges is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare signalment, clinical findings, diagnostic imaging, necropsy results, and outcomes in horses with CVM versus controls.
- To identify factors associated with CVM and evaluate diagnostic accuracy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case-control study involving 270 horses with CVM and 608 controls.
- Analysis of medical records for signalment, clinical signs, diagnostic imaging, necropsy findings, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Horses with CVM were significantly younger (median 2 years) than controls (median 7 years).
- Thoroughbreds, warmbloods, and Tennessee Walking Horses were overrepresented. Gait asymmetry and cervical hyperesthesia were common.
- Necropsy revealed vertebral canal stenosis and osteophytosis; diagnostic imaging agreement ranged from 65-78%.
Conclusions:
- Young horses and specific breeds have higher odds of CVM.
- Gait asymmetry and cervical hyperesthesia are key clinical signs.
- Radiographic and myelographic diagnosis of CVM-associated lesions can be difficult.
Objective:
To compare signalment of horses with cervical vertebral malformation-malarticulation (CVM) with that of control horses and to describe results of clinical examination, diagnostic imaging and necropsy findings, and reported outcome in horses with CVM.
Design:
Retrospective case-control study.
Animals:
270 horses with CVM and 608 control horses admitted to 6 veterinary hospitals from 1992 through 2007.
Procedures:
Medical records of participating hospitals were reviewed to identify horses with CVM (ie, case horses) and contemporaneous control (non-CVM-affected) horses that were admitted for treatment. Signalment was compared between case horses and control horses. Results of clinical examination, laboratory and diagnostic imaging findings, necropsy results, and outcome were assessed for horses with CVM.
Results:
Case horses were younger (median age, 2 years) than were control horses (median age, 7 years). Thoroughbreds, warmbloods, and Tennessee Walking Horses were overrepresented in the CVM group. Gait asymmetry and cervical hyperesthesia were frequently detected in horses with CVM. Vertebral canal stenosis and articular process osteophytosis were commonly observed at necropsy; agreement between the results of radiographic or myelographic analysis and detection of lesions at necropsy was 65% to 71% and 67% to 78%, respectively. Of 263 horses with CVM for which outcome was recorded, 1 died and 172 (65.4%) were euthanatized.
Conclusions And Clinical Relevance:
Odds of a diagnosis of CVM were greater in young horses and horses of specific breeds. Detection of gait asymmetry and cervical hyperesthesia were frequently reported in association with CVM. Accurate diagnosis of lesions associated with CVM by use of radiography and myelography can be challenging.