RT Journal Article
T1 The cranial nuchal bursa: Anatomy, ultrasonography, magneticresonance imaging and endoscopic approach
A1 Abuja, Gustavo
A1 García-López, José Miguel
A1 Spoormakers, Tijn
A1 Taeymans, Olivier
A1 Manso Díaz, Gabriel
AB Reasons for performing study: Although an uncommon condition, cranial nuchal bursitis can affect the performance of the equine athlete. The anatomy is not well described and there are no reports of diagnostic imaging for endoscopic approaches.Objectives: To describe the anatomy, ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance features of and endoscopic approach to the cranial nuchal bursa in horses.Study design: Experimental cadaver study.Methods: Four cranial nuchal bursae were dissected, 4 specimens were frozen to prepare anatomical sections and 2 were injected with latex to document surface landmarks and topographical anatomy and to identify the possible sites for endoscopic access. Six cadaveric specimens were used to describe the ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance features of the cranial nuchal bursa before and after intrabursal injection. Sixteen cadaver specimens were evaluated with a rigid arthroscope and gross dissection to determine the endoscopic appearance of the bursa.Results: The cranial nuchal bursa could be identified consistently in all cadavers, using ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance on both pre- and post injection specimens. Cranial and caudal endoscopic approaches and instrument portals were developed for the cranial nuchal bursa. Using either approach, the entire extent of the bursa could be evaluated, but separate approaches for left and right compartments of the bursa were needed owing to the lack of manoeuvrability when examining the contralateral compartment.Conclusions: The cranial nuchal bursa can be identified on ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance images. An endoscopic approach to the cranial nuchal bursa is clinically feasible and offered an easy, repeatable entry into the cranial nuchal bursa, which allowed adequate observation of the structures within the bursa. This may be of help for diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the cranial nuchal bursa in horses.
PB Wiley
YR 2014
FD 2014
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/94959
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/94959
LA eng
NO Abuja, G. A., García-López, J. M., Manso-Díaz, G., Spoormakers, T. J., & Taeymans, O. (2014). The cranial nuchal bursa: anatomy, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopic approach. Equine veterinary journal, 46(6), 745–750. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12226
NO AuthorshipTogether with J.M. García-López, O. Taeymans and T.J.P. Spoormakers, DrG.A. Abuja was in charge of the design and general completion of thestudy, including anatomical dissections, ultrasound and endoscopicprocedures. G. Manso-Díaz contributed to the making of the frozencadaveric specimens and acquisition of the MRI images. All 5 authors hadan active role in the writing and preparation of the manuscript.
NO Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
DS Docta Complutense
RD 9 jun 2025