cranial nuchal bursa: Anatomy, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopic approach

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Although an uncommon condition, cranial nuchal bursitis can affect the performance of the equine athlete. The anatomy is not well described and there are no reports of diagnostic imaging for endoscopic approaches. OBJECTIVES: To describe the anatomy, ultrasonographic an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Equine veterinary journal 2014-11, Vol.46 (6), p.745-750
Main Authors: Abuja, G. A, García‐López, J. M, Manso‐Díaz, G, Spoormakers, T. J. P, Taeymans, O
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
anatomy
Animals
bursitis
bursoscopy
cranial nuchal bursa
horse
horses
Horses - anatomy & histology
image analysis
latex
magnetic resonance
magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods
Magnetic Resonance Imaging - veterinary
Neck - anatomy & histology
Neck - diagnostic imaging
NMR
Nuclear magnetic resonance
Radiography
ultrasonography
Ultrasonography - methods
Ultrasonography - veterinary
ultrasound
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Summary:REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Although an uncommon condition, cranial nuchal bursitis can affect the performance of the equine athlete. The anatomy is not well described and there are no reports of diagnostic imaging for endoscopic approaches. OBJECTIVES: To describe the anatomy, ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance features of and endoscopic approach to the cranial nuchal bursa in horses. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental cadaver study. METHODS: Four cranial nuchal bursae were dissected, 4 specimens were frozen to prepare anatomical sections and 2 were injected with latex to document surface landmarks and topographical anatomy and to identify the possible sites for endoscopic access. Six cadaveric specimens were used to describe the ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance features of the cranial nuchal bursa before and after intrabursal injection. Sixteen cadaver specimens were evaluated with a rigid arthroscope and gross dissection to determine the endoscopic appearance of the bursa. RESULTS: The cranial nuchal bursa could be identified consistently in all cadavers, using ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance on both pre‐ and post injection specimens. Cranial and caudal endoscopic approaches and instrument portals were developed for the cranial nuchal bursa. Using either approach, the entire extent of the bursa could be evaluated, but separate approaches for left and right compartments of the bursa were needed owing to the lack of manoeuvrability when examining the contralateral compartment. CONCLUSIONS: The cranial nuchal bursa can be identified on ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance images. An endoscopic approach to the cranial nuchal bursa is clinically feasible and offered an easy, repeatable entry into the cranial nuchal bursa, which allowed adequate observation of the structures within the bursa. This may be of help for diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the cranial nuchal bursa in horses.
ISSN:0425-1644
2042-3306
DOI:10.1111/evj.12226