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Radiographic examination of the facial, nasal and paranasal sinus regions of the horse: I. indications and procedures in 235 cases
Author(s) -
LANE J. G.,
GIBBS CHRISTINE,
MEYNINK SARAH E.,
STEELE FIONA C.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1987.tb02647.x
Subject(s) - medicine , radiography , sinus (botany) , paranasal sinuses , maxillary sinus , nasal cavity , radiology , surgery , anatomy , botany , biology , genus
Summary The radiographic procedures used for examination of the facial area and paranasal sinuses of 235 horses are reported. Clinical indications for these examinations and the diagnoses made are reviewed. Unilateral nasal discharge was the commonest reason for radiography, accounting for about one third of cases, most of which had radiological signs of paranasal sinus disease recognisable on erect lateral films. Oblique projections were required to obtain further information about the maxillary dental arcades and ventro‐dorsal views demonstrated sinus expansion and extension of disease into the nasal cavity. In 24 horses with bilateral nasal discharge, the origin was usually shown to be in the lower respiratory tract and radiographic abnormalities were found in only 20 per cent of cases. Facial swelling was a feature of 25 per cent of cases; the commonest causes were premolar periapical disease, best shown on oblique views with the patient recumbent, and suture periostitis, easily demonstrated on erect lateral films. Other causes of facial swelling, which required multiple radiographic projections for evaluation, were sinus cysts and tumours and peripheral soft tissue masses. Epistaxis for which no cause could be found in the lower respiratory tract was the indication for radiography in a further 10 per cent of cases. In almost half of these a radiopaque shadow representing an ethmoid haematoma could be seen on an erect lateral film. A sinus cyst and a tumour were also recorded but most other causes of epistaxis failed to produce radiographic signs. Radiography contributed to determining the cause of nasal airway obstruction in the majority of 13 cases and was also useful in evaluating radicular involvement in animals with gross visible dental crown defects and discharging sinus tracts. Contrast medium was used to delineate atretic nasolacrimal ducts in horses with epiphora. Of 13 cases with facial trauma six presented with epistaxis and/or facial deformity and the remainder had developed complications as a result of injury and were showing signs of nasal discharge, obstruction or facial swelling. Radiography of 24 horses with behavioural or neurological disturbances was consistently unrewarding.