Evaluation of the minimum sagital diameter ratios in the spine of American Quarter Horses

Abstract

The minimum Sagittal Diameter is the smallest width observed in the vertebral canal. This is an efficient measurement to identify and locate areas of early cervical stenosis. This measure is very important to assist the clinician in the conduct of treatments of diseases such as cervical stenotic myelopathy (Wobbler syndrome), disease that plagues often quarter horses and Thoroughbred. The mielography is widely used for identification of cervical stenosis, however it detects lesions with more advanced articular and bone structural lesions, and presents a risk to the animal to achievement contrast administration procedure. Therefore, compared to other techniques, such as the mielography, the simple measurement of minimum Sagittal diameter presents notable advantages. The goal of this work is to observe and standardize the minimum sagittal diameter in cervical vertebrae of american quarter horses. To do so, we are going to perform simple radiographs of the cervical spine 30 animals. It's purpose is to get better basement for comparison of minimum Sagittal Diameter values in cervical vertebrae, setting a minimum limit of these values, and thus assist the veterinarian in clinical and choices of treatment of cervical vertebral canal stenosis. (AU)