Misurazione della profondità dello spazio sub-aracnoideo: valutazione della sua utilità nel puledro malato

Aim. To measure the depth of the subarachnoid space (SS) by ultrasonography in foals affected by perinatal diseases. Materials and methods. 43 foals different in sex and breed, aged 0-30 days were included. Foals were divided in 2 groups: subjects affected by Perinatal Asphyxia Syndrome (PAS) (PAS group) and affected by other perinatal diseases (NOT-PAS group). X±SD, m, M was calculated for both groups. T-test was performed (PAS vs NOT-PAS group). Significance level was set at p <0.05. Results. X±SD, m and M of SS depth were 0,72±0,09, 0,5-0,95 cm for cross-sectional scan, 0,74±0,09, 0,5-0,95 cm for longitudinal section. No statistically differences were found for PAS vs NOT-PAS group. Discussion and conclusions. SS depth seems not to provide additional data on the increase of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), but it might be a good diagnostic tool for its qualitative evaluation.