Disorders of the cervical certebral column part 1: Identification and diagnosis

Summary Our awareness and understanding of neck conditions in the horse is increasing, along with options for treatment. The ability to perform a thorough and considered orthopaedic and neurological clinical examination is a vital clinical tool that is accessible to all. Clinical presentations of cervical dysfunction may vary widely in severity and can include one or more components of three functional diagnoses: neck pain; neurological signs of spinal cord compression; and/or signs of radiculopathy. Radiography and ultrasonography are valuable imaging modalities and can be performed in the field; however, achieving quality diagnostic radiographs can be challenging in this setting and both have their limitations. Computed tomography (CT) has emerged as the current gold standard imaging modality, which offers excellent multiplanar anatomical detail of bony structures and reasonable soft tissue detail, with the risks of anaesthesia being low. Myelography is a key adjunct in the ataxic patient, but objective measures for interpretation are not clear. Development of new diagnostic techniques is an active area of research, and clinically useful functional testing methods are eagerly awaited to help interpret the clinical relevance of imaging findings.