Panel Discussion Neck Problems: Recent Advances & Latest Thinking in Diagnostic Imaging

Course overview

PANEL DISCUSSION DESCRIPTION This interactive and multidisciplinary discussion among four world-leading experts will address recent advances in neck related problems with regards to recognized clinical presentations, diagnosis, and treatment options with a focus on imaging. Cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy (CVCM) causing ataxia, proprioceptive deficits, tetraparesis and dysmetric gait has been the focus of study for years with the earliest reports in horses since 1968. However, it has become apparent that other clinical manifestations related to neck pathology are also an important cause of impaired performance, pain, and compromised quality of life. Other manifestations of disease include thoracic limb lameness with no concurrent ataxia, thoracic limb lameness with concurrent ataxia, neck pain, and stiff neck, among others. Equally important is to rule out other problems that can cause lameness and neurologic dysfunction as differentials for neck pathology. Diagnostic modalities such as imaging and neuroelectrodiagnostics are important aids for diagnosis and further understanding of underlying pathophysiology, as well as forming part of some prepurchase examinations. Therefore, it is essential to determine what imaging findings might be clinically relevant. Most recent studies have focused on Warmblood breeds with controversial results. This session will discuss some of these issues.