Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Denervation atrophy in three horses with fibrotic myopathy.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1994
- Authors:
- Valentine, B A et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Pathology · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Three horses with a condition called fibrotic myopathy, which affects their muscles, were studied for possible nerve problems. In two of the horses, a special test called electromyography was done, revealing signs of nerve damage in one of them. Sadly, all three horses were put to sleep for humane reasons, and further tests on their tissues showed nerve damage and muscle wasting in all of them. One horse also had a broken bone that was pressing on a nerve, but the cause of the nerve issues in the other two horses was not found. The researchers concluded that nerve damage should be considered in horses with fibrotic myopathy.
Abstract
Three horses with fibrotic myopathy were examined for neuromuscular disease. In 2 horses, concentric needle electromyography was performed. Dense spontaneous activity suggestive of denervation, was found in multiple thigh muscles of 1 of the 2 horses. All 3 horses were euthanatized. Histochemical and histologic examination of tissue specimens was performed. All horses had degenerative lesions in peripheral and intramuscular nerves. Angular atrophy of type-1 and type-2 muscle fibers, indicative of denervation atrophy, was seen in multiple muscle specimens from all 3 horses. One horse was found to have a fracture of the greater trochanter, with fibrous entrapment of the sciatic nerve at that site. The cause of the peripheral neuropathy was not determined in the other 2 horses. It was concluded that peripheral neuropathy should be considered in horses with fibrotic myopathy.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7928615/