Accuracy of ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of cervical facet joints in horses: a cadaveric study.
BACKGROUND
Intra-articular facet joint injection is an established diagnostic procedure in human medicine but there are no reports on its reliability in equine practice.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the accuracy of ultrasound-guided intra-articular injections of the cervical facet joints and to estimate factors influencing the accuracy.


METHODS
Sixty injections with blue dye were performed on the facet joints between 2nd and 7th cervical vertebra (C2-C7) on horses subjected to euthanasia for nonorthopaedic reasons. The facet joints were subsequently dissected to verify accuracy of deposition.


RESULTS
Seventy-two percent of the injections were found to be intra-articular, 17% were intracapsular and a total of 98% were within 1 mm of the joint capsule. There was a marked effect of gained experience (P < 0.01), but not of other factors tested.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study do not translate directly to injections performed in live horses, but they indicate that the method can be applied as a diagnostic as well as therapeutic procedure in C2 to C7 and that is advisable to practise injections on cadaver specimens before applying the technique.
Nielsen
J V
JV
Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University of Copenhagen, Bülowsvej 17, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
Berg
L C
LC
Thoefnert
M B
MB
Thomsen
P D
PD
D000818:Animals; D001978:Bromphenol Blue / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002102:Cadaver; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006736:Horses; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography
D004396:Coloring Agents; D001978:Bromphenol Blue