Radiographic and computed tomographic features of a subarachnoid
diverticulum causing compressive cervical myelopathy in a yearling
warmblood horse: a case report
Abstract
A one-year-old Belgian warmblood with a previously known history of
successfully repaired temporal and parietal bone fracture sustained at
14 days of age was presented for investigation of a recent, acute, and
progressive four limbs ataxia. The owner reported a lack of coordination
and difficulty getting up with progressing paresis two weeks prior to
the presentation. Neurological examination revealed pronounced
hypermetria/dysmetria in walk and trot in all four limbs. No evidence of
cranial nerve deficit was observed. The horse was in good general
condition with unremarkable clinical parameters. Survey lateral
radiographs of the cervical spine showed moderate to severe signs of
cervical malformation of the vertebral canal and articular process
joints, indicating cervical stenotic myelopathy. Cervical computed
tomographic (CT) myelography revealed the presence of a dorsal
subarachnoid diverticulum causing significant spinal cord compression at
multiple locations, with associated osteoarthrosis of the cervical
articular process joints. Due to a poor prognosis and warranted surgical
outcome, the owner declined further treatment, and the horse was
discharged with conservative corticosteroid treatment. The patient was
euthanised shortly after the initial presentation due to progressive
worsening. To the author’s knowledge, CT myelography findings in a
yearling with cervical subarachnoid diverticulum have not been
previously published. This case illustrates the usefulness of advanced
imaging techniques, such as CT myelography, in combination with static
and dynamic radiography to provide a better and more accurate diagnosis.