Ultrasonographic examination of the axial structures

Ultrasonographic examination of the axial structures of the horse, including nuchal, cervical and thoracolumbar areas, is useful in complementing clinical an radiographical diagnosis, providing imaging of soft tissues and articular and non-articular bone surfaces. Nuchal ligament and semispinalis tendons are evaluated in the poll area. Synovial intervertebral joints can be imaged in the neck and back where supraspinous ligament and spinous processes are also imaged. A variety of lesions can be detected i.e. desmopathies, enthesopathies arthropathies, which may or not have clinical relevance, but anyway provide useful information for diagnosis and prognosis. Concerning treatment, ultrasonography allows precise local ultrasound guided injections in joints and other structures. Without imaging in real time is very difficult and impossible in some cases to inject the desired area. In this article we review anatomical features, relevant for the acquisition and interpretation of the images, probe positioning and examples of normal, abnormal and pathologic images studied.