Considerations on the comparative pathology of the vertebrae in Mysticeti and Odontoceti; evidence for the occurrence of discarthrosis, zygarthrosis, infectious spondylitis and spondyloarthritis

Abstract

Cleaned skeletons of 658 specimen of 47 species of Odontoceti and 44 skeletons of 10 species of Mysticeti were examined for evidence of pathological changes, especially of the vertebrae. Beside the examination of the cleaned skeletons, 132 spinal columns of seven species of Odontoceti were studied during autopsy. Four different pathological conditions were considered to occur: 1. Discarthrosis (spondylosis deformans); 2. Infectious spondylitis; 3. Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis; and 4. Spondyloarthritis. Three cases of spondyloarthritis in cetaceans are described in detail. Spondyloarthritis had never before been recognized in any cetacean species.