Calcification of the neck ligament

As neckband calcification calcifications is called the two neck bursa ( Bursa subligamentosa nuchalis cranial and caudal ) in the region of the neck band ( ligamentum nuchae ).

With horses

Neck ligament calcifications mostly occur in dressage and show jumping horses, although the cause is often unclear. One hypothesis is that when young horses are trained, keeping the neck too tight (repetitive microtraumas caused by reins or draw reins) can have a predisposing effect over a longer period of time . Other possible causes are overturning, getting stuck in the holster or falling.

Such a change in the area of ​​the neck band can lead to restriction of use and even uselessness as a riding or sport horse in the case of therapy resistance. Movement restrictions of the cervical spine with and without swellings in the neck muscles, defense reactions with loss of coordination up to ataxia have been described in the case of inflammation of the anterior bursa ("bump", bursitis subligamentosa nuchalis cranialis ).

Although calcifications in tendons and ligaments are mentioned as the primary indication for extracorporeal shock wave therapy, so far only a few research results are available on the treatment of calcifications in the neck ligament in horses. In a study on horses presented with rideability problems and showing radiographic changes in the area of ​​the neck ligament and / or the external occipital protuberance of the occiput , 80% of the patients were again unrestricted to ride after three shock wave therapy. X-ray control examinations, however, only partially revealed changes in the findings, so that the success of the therapy was primarily documented by the absence of clinical symptoms. In another case study on the treatment of calcification of the subligamentous bursa nuchalis cranialis with ultrasound-coupled extracorporeal shock wave therapy, complete clinical healing and a satisfactory radiological change could be achieved thanks to the sufficient penetration depth and the treatment under visual control. The etiology of this disease and whether a risk of recurrence can be completely ruled out remains unclear .

With people

Calcifications in the ligamentum nuchae in a lateral x-ray of the human cervical spine as an incidental finding.

In humans, too , calcifications in the ligamentum nuchae are occasionally found - usually as an incidental finding in the x-ray of the cervical spine . They are usually at the level of the lower cervical vertebrae or the first thoracic vertebra. They must then be demarcated against a traumatic avulsion at the spinous process of the vertebrae ( Schipper fracture ).

literature

1. ↑ Freyschmidts Koehler / Zimmer: Limits of the normal and the beginnings of the pathological in the radiology of the child and adult skeleton . Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart, New York, 2000, ISBN 3-13-362214-5

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