Histological examination of the interspinous ligament in horses with overriding spinous processes

Ehrle, A ORCID: 0000-0001-5338-6195 (2019) Histological examination of the interspinous ligament in horses with overriding spinous processes. Veterinary Journal, 244. pp. 69-74.

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Abstract

© 2018 Elsevier Ltd The equine interspinous ligament (ISL) consists of an oblique crossing arrangement of collagenous bundles which are thought to counteract the tensile and rotational forces of distraction between the spinous processes (SPs) in the caudal thoracic and cranial lumbar spine. The aim of this controlled histological study was to assess the structural anatomy and innervation of the ISL in horses with clinically significant overriding (dorsal) SPs (ORSPs) and to compare the findings with the ISL of normal horses. Samples of the ISL were obtained from 10 horses that underwent subtotal ostectomy for treatment of ORSPs. Control samples were obtained from horses without spinal pathology. Histological staining of ISL sections with haematoxylin and eosin was performed to assess the morphology of the ligaments and with Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff to determine the proteoglycan and glycosaminoglycan content. Immunohistochemistry for S100 was performed for quantitative evaluation of nerves within the ISL. The ISL in horses with ORSPs had an altered collagen fibre alignment and arrangement of the ligamentous layers when compared to healthy controls. A significant increase in fibrocartilaginous tissue with evidence of fibrocartilaginous metaplasia was detected (P = 0.001). The number of nerves in the ISL samples was significantly higher in horses with ORSPs than in controls (P = 0.017). Structural alterations of the ISL, including loss of fibre alignment and fibrocartilaginous metaplasia, are associated with ORSPs in the equine thoracolumbar spine. In addition, an increase in innervation of the ISL in horses with ORSPs, compared to normal, may explain the thoracolumbar pain experienced by some horses with ORSPs.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Equine, Fibrocartilaginous metaplasia, Innervation, Spinal ligament
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	21 Feb 2022 09:04
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 23:57
DOI:	10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.12.012
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3078958

Available Versions of this Item

• Histological examination of the interspinous ligament in horses with overriding spinous processes. (deposited 24 Jan 2019 08:59)
  • Histological examination of the interspinous ligament in horses with overriding spinous processes. (deposited 21 Feb 2022 09:04) [Currently Displayed]