Signs of sinus cysts in horses - what to look for

Abstract

The clinical and radiographic features of 15 cases of paranasal sinus cysts are described. Breed, sex and side frequency were unremarkable but two distinct categories of age incidence emerged. Onset of signs had occurred before one year of age in three cases, while all but two of the remaining 12 animals were older than nine years. The most common clinical signs were nasal airway obstruction, facial swelling and nasal discharge, often occurring in combination. Radiographic changes were recorded in all horses. Sinus opacification was a consistent finding and in several cases the bone surrounding the sinus had increased in thickness. Increase in intra-maxillary sinus pressure was demonstrated by septal displacement on ventro-dorsal radiographs in almost half the cases. Less common signs included expansion, free fluid accumulation within the affected sinus, dental distortion and displacement and mineralisation. Two horses were destroyed without treatment but in 13 animals surgical exploration was performed. Two of these were destroyed, one at the time of surgery and one five days postoperatively. In the remaining 11 cases, all accessible parts of the cyst were removed through a facial flap and drainage to the nasal meati was established. All these horses recovered satisfactorily and were followed up for periods between three months and six years without evidence of recurrence. Thirteen cysts arose in the caudal maxillary sinus and one each in the frontal and rostral maxillary compartments. Histopathological examination of portions of the cyst walls suggests that, like ethmoidal haematomas, they may originate from episodes of haemorrhage beneath the upper respiratory tract mucosa.