Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Horse with facial deformity and nasal discharge after surgery
By Ragle, Claude A et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2009·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Pneumocephalus secondary to removal of an osteoma from the paranasal sinuses of a horse.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old Quarter Horse had a noticeable facial deformity on the left side, along with nasal and eye discharge. After tests showed a large mineralized mass in the left paranasal sinuses, the horse underwent surgery to remove it. Although the surgery was complicated by some fever and colic afterward, and there was a small amount of air in the brain (pneumocephalus), the horse did not show any neurological issues. Two years later, the horse was doing well and performing normally.
People also search for: horse facial deformity · Quarter Horse nasal discharge · horse surgery complications · osteoma treatment in horses
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION: A 2-year-old Quarter Horse was evaluated because of a progressive left-sided facial deformity and unilateral nasal and ocular discharge. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Physical examination revealed convexity of the left frontonasal region, left-sided nasal and ocular discharge, and decreased air flow through the left nares. Radiography and computed tomography revealed an extensively mineralized mass occupying most of the left paranasal sinuses. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The mass was surgically debulked, but complete removal was precluded because the mass was tightly adhered to the frontal and maxillary bones. Results of histologic examination of the mass were consistent with a diagnosis of osteoma. The horse developed transient pyrexia and colic following surgery, and postoperative radiography revealed gas opacities in the lateral ventricles of the brain, consistent with iatrogenic pneumocephalus. However, the horse did not develop any neurologic signs and was performing normally 2 years after surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings reinforce concerns that paranasal sinus surgery in horses can be associated with intracranial complications such as pneumocephalus. In horses with a mass involving the paranasal sinuses, computed tomography may be helpful in determining the boundaries of the mass and formulating a surgical treatment plan.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19601740/