Abstract:
OBJECTIVES : The aim of this study was to describe an ultrasound-guided injection
technique of the lumbosacral disc in horses through the cranial vertebral notch of the
sacrum and to evaluate both accuracy and potential complications of the technique on
equine cadavers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS : Twenty-four injections of the lumbosacral area were performed on 12 equine cadavers shortly after euthanasia under ultrasound guidance with
the horse in recumbency using two different dyes (one colour for each side). The
lumbosacral area was dissected in each horse and the accuracy of the technique, as well
as its potential complications, was evaluated detecting the dyes and the structures that
have been coloured.
RESULTS : The lumbosacral area was correctly reached in only 11/24 injections. However, this technique allowed a lumbosacral peridiscal injection in 7/12 horses. The main
difficulty was reaching the ventral opening of the L6-S1 intervertebral foramen that is
partially hidden by the iliac wing on ultrasound. Puncture of the vertebral canal has
been observed in 11/24 cases. The L6 spinal nerve roots emerging through the
intervertebral foramen could potentially be damaged when inserting the needle.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE : The described ultrasound-guided technique allows peridiscal
injection in the lumbosacral space in less than 60% of cases with potential sciatic nerve
damage. Further investigations are warranted before using this technique in clinical
practice in horses suffering from lumbosacral lesions.
