Thoracic vertebrae fracture identified by scintigraphy and radiography in a horse

Summary A 22‐year‐old Warmblood mare used for light pleasure riding presented with progressive thoracic back stiffness and mild left forelimb lameness. Clinical examination revealed epaxial muscle atrophy and reduced thoracic range of motion. Bone scintigraphy demonstrated a focal increase in radiopharmaceutical uptake at the T12–T13 level, raising suspicion of vertebral pathology. Subsequent radiography revealed findings highly suggestive of a mildly displaced compression fracture of the T13 vertebral body with associated endplate sclerosis. Conservative management resulted in marked clinical improvement. This image case highlights the diagnostic value of nuclear scintigraphy combined with radiography for identifying presumed thoracic vertebral fractures and supports conservative management in the absence of neurological deficits.