Calvarial hyperostosis causing eye problems in young Labradors

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To describe calvarial hyperostosis syndrome (CHS) as a potential and unusual cause of exophthalmos or epiphora in young dogs. Animals Studied A nine‐month‐old female intact (case 1) and a two‐year‐old male intact Labrador Retriever (case 2). Procedures Patient history, including previous treatments, was documented. Both cases underwent physical and ophthalmological examinations, computed Tomography (CT), and histopathological analysis. Additional dacryocystorhinography (DCR) was performed in case 2. Results Lateral exophthalmos of the left eye was the primary clinical sign in case 1. In case 2, serous lacrimal discharge was observed without other signs of ocular irritation. A slightly thickened and firm area distal to the medial canthus of the right eye was also noted. In this case, Jones 1 test on the right side was negative, whereas Jones test 2 revealed increased resistance when flushing the nasolacrimal system. CT imaging in both cases identified solid, smoothly marginated new bone formation. In case 1, this involved the left frontal bone, occipital bone, parietal bone, and temporal bone. In case 2, the new bone formation affected the right lacrimal bone and frontal process of the maxillary bone, leading to encasement and narrowing of the nasolacrimal duct (NLD). Histopathological analysis revealed active bone remodeling with osteoblasts in case 1, while case 2 demonstrated regularly differentiated trabecular lamellar bone with intertrabecular spaces. No evidence of neoplasia or osteomyelitis was observed in either case. Taken together, these findings strongly support a diagnosis of CHS in both cases. Conclusions CHS involving flat bones can present as exophthalmos or epiphora and should be considered in the differential diagnoses of these conditions, particularly in young dogs.