Ultrasound diagnosis of interference between costovertebral joint injuries and the eighth cervical nerve

IF 1.1 4区农林科学 Q3 VETERINARY SCIENCES

Equine Veterinary Education Pub Date : 2026-07-02 Epub Date: 2026-03-15 DOI:10.1111/eve.70062

J.-M. Denoix, N. Crevier-Denoix

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Equine cervicothoracobrachial syndrome (CTBS) has been shown as a cause of proximal forelimb lameness and dyskinesia in horses. Because of close anatomical relationships, arthropathies of the first costovertebral joint (CVJ1) may interfere with the ventral ramus of the eighth cervical nerve (C8N), the major root of the brachial plexus (BP).

Objectives

To describe the ultrasonographic technique to image CVJ1 and C8N in field practice, to provide normal ultrasonographic images and present abnormalities seen in horses presenting a CTBS.

Study design

The presentation is based on clinical cases referred for non-blockable lameness or athletic difficulties.

Methods

A regular 5–10 MHz macroconvex (curvilinear) ultrasound probe is used to examine CVBJ1 and CTJ1. After adequate preparation of the area, the forelimb is moved caudally to facilitate access to the two parts of the CVJ1: the costovertebral-body joint, CVBJ1 (between the costal head of the first rib—R1 and costal foveas of the C7 and T1 vertebral bodies), and the costotransverse joint, CTJ1 (between R1 costal tuberculum and T1 transverse process).

Results

Abnormalities identified in clinical cases include arthropathy of CVBJ1 and fracture of the costal head interfering with the cranial fibres of C8N. CTJ1 conditions include peri-articular osteophytes, capsulitis, capsular enthesopathies and hypogenesis of R1 in contact with the caudal fibres of C8N or the BP itself.

Main limitations

Deep bone lesions cannot be imaged with ultrasonography; interference between CTJ1 and the ventral ramus of the first thoracic spinal nerve are hidden by the first rib.

Conclusion

Ultrasonography is presently the only imaging technique providing detailed discrimination of the soft tissues including nerves in the cervicothoracic area. The procedure can be done in the field on the standing horse. It provides an essential contribution to the understanding and management of many unexplained lameness in horses.

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肋椎关节损伤与颈第八神经干扰的超声诊断

马颈胸肱综合征（CTBS）已被证明是马近端前肢跛行和运动障碍的原因。由于密切的解剖关系，第一肋椎关节（CVJ1）的关节病可能会干扰第八颈神经（C8N）的腹侧支，第八颈神经是臂丛（BP）的主要根。目的介绍CVJ1和C8N的超声成像技术，提供CTBS马的正常超声图像和异常情况。研究设计本报告是基于非闭塞性跛行或运动困难的临床病例。方法采用常规5-10 MHz大凸（曲线）超声探头对CVBJ1和CTJ1进行检查。在充分准备区域后，将前肢向尾端移动，以方便进入CVJ1的两个部分：肋椎体关节CVBJ1（位于第一肋- R1的肋头和C7和T1椎体的肋中央窝之间）和肋横关节CTJ1（位于R1肋结节和T1横突之间）。结果临床发现的异常包括CVBJ1关节病变和干扰C8N颅纤维的肋头骨折。CTJ1的情况包括关节周围骨赘、囊炎、囊内关节病和与C8N的尾侧纤维或BP本身接触的R1发育不全。骨深部病变不能用超声显像；CTJ1和第一胸脊神经腹支之间的干扰被第一根肋骨所隐藏。结论超声检查是目前唯一能对颈胸区软组织包括神经进行详细鉴别的影像学技术。这个程序可以在野外的立马上完成。它提供了一个重要的贡献，以理解和管理许多不明原因的跛马。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Equine Veterinary Education 农林科学-兽医学

CiteScore

2.40

自引率

22.20%

发文量

132

审稿时长

18-36 weeks

期刊介绍： Equine Veterinary Education (EVE) is the official journal of post-graduate education of both the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). Equine Veterinary Education is a monthly, peer-reviewed, subscription-based journal, integrating clinical research papers, review articles and case reports from international sources, covering all aspects of medicine and surgery relating to equids. These papers facilitate the dissemination and implementation of new ideas and techniques relating to clinical veterinary practice, with the ultimate aim of promoting best practice. New developments are placed in perspective, encompassing new concepts and peer commentary. The target audience is veterinarians primarily engaged in the practise of equine medicine and surgery. The educational value of a submitted article is one of the most important criteria that are assessed when deciding whether to accept it for publication. Articles do not necessarily need to contain original or novel information but we welcome submission of this material. The educational value of an article may relate to articles published with it (e.g. a Case Report may not have direct educational value but an associated Clinical Commentary or Review Article published alongside it will enhance the educational value).