Davidson EJ, Stefanovski D, Slack J, Manzi TJ. Ultrasound-guided caudal cervical articular process arthrocentesis is accurate in live horses with and without arthropathy.
Equine Vet J 2024. [PMID:
38989893 DOI:
10.1111/evj.14133]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Cervical articular process joint (CAPJ) therapy is advocated for horses with neck disorders. Several ultrasound-guided CAPJ techniques have been described in cadaver studies with 72%-89% intra-articular injection accuracy; however, the CAPJ injection accuracy in clinical equine practice has not been extensively reported.
OBJECTIVES
To describe a modified cranial approach for ultrasound-guided caudal CAPJ injections, to investigate the accuracy of this CAPJ injection technique in live horses, and to assess the effect of CAPJ injection location, laterality, operator, and radiographic CAPJ enlargement on injection accuracy.
STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective case study.
METHODS
Medical records of adult horses in which ultrasound-guided caudal (C4-T1) CAPJ injections were performed using a modified cranial approach between November 2006 and December 2020 were reviewed. Radiographic images of caudal cervical vertebrae were assessed by a blinded radiologist and the degree of CAPJ enlargement was graded using a previously described grading system (Rgrade 1-5b). Ultrasound-guided caudal CAPJ injection accuracy was determined by synovial fluid retrieval during an individual CAPJ injection. Statistical analysis was performed using mixed-effects multivariable logistic model to evaluate the association of CAPJ injection accuracy and the CAPJ injection location, Rgrade, laterality (right, left), and operator.
RESULTS
The study included 149 horses with 177 hospital admissions. Synovial fluid was obtained from 586/658 (89.1%) caudal CAPJs using modified cranial ultrasound-guided approach for CAPJ injections. C6-C7 CAPJ injections had 7-fold higher likelihood (OR = 6.78, 95% CI: 1.67-27.52; p = 0.007) of synovial fluid retrieval compared with C4-C5 CAPJ injections. Operator, CAPJ injection side (left, right), and degree of radiographic CAPJ enlargement did not have significant effects on the success of synovial fluid retrieval from ultrasound-guided caudal CAPJ injections.
MAIN LIMITATIONS
Retrospective study design.
CONCLUSIONS
Intra-articular ultrasound-guided caudal CAPJ injections using a modified cranial approach can be performed accurately in live horses with and without CAPJ arthropathy.
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