Botryomycosis‐like discospondylitis of the thoracic spine in a Friesian horse with severe bilateral pelvic limb ataxia and paresis

Summary Botryomycosis is an uncommon chronic bacterial pyogranulomatous infection of cutaneous and, rarely of visceral origin, that can rarely invade the osseous tissues. An 8‐year‐old Friesian gelding was presented with severe bilateral hindlimb ataxia and paresis of 2‐weeks' duration. Radiogr...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Equine veterinary education 2023-07, Vol.35 (7), p.e468-e474
Main Authors: Vandekerckhove, Louis, Raes, Els, De Jonge, Bert, Neuckermans, Zoé, Vanderperren, Katrien
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ataxia
Bacteria
Bone lesions
Botryomycosis
Chronic infection
Compression
Degeneration
Differential diagnosis
horse
Intervertebral discs
Lesions
Limbs
Osteolysis
Paresis
Sclerosis
spinal ataxia
Spinal cord
Spine
Spine (thoracic)
Splendore‐Hoeppli
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Summary Botryomycosis is an uncommon chronic bacterial pyogranulomatous infection of cutaneous and, rarely of visceral origin, that can rarely invade the osseous tissues. An 8‐year‐old Friesian gelding was presented with severe bilateral hindlimb ataxia and paresis of 2‐weeks' duration. Radiographic examination revealed a large osteolytic lesion at the T10‐T11 intervertebral disc space. Post‐mortem examination revealed discospondylitis with abscess formation and histological presence of pyogranulomatous inflammation with coccoform bacteria rimmed by Splendore‐Hoeppli material. Staphylococcus aureus was identified by bacteriological examination. This case report describes the clinical presentation, imaging features and post‐mortem findings of a Friesian gelding presenting with severe bilateral hindlimb ataxia and paresis caused by compression and degeneration of the spinal cord due to a botryomycosis‐like thoracic discospondylitis. Botryomycosis‐like infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of focal expansile bone lesions demonstrating diffuse osteolysis, sclerosis and interrupted bone margins.
ISSN:0957-7734
2042-3292
DOI:10.1111/eve.13759