Clinical anatomy of the equine sphenopalatine sinus.

The research paper revolves around the study of the anatomy of equine sphenopalatine sinuses, their intricate relationship with adjacent major nerves and vessels, and the potential damage to cranial nerves due to disorders such as empyema and neoplasia.

Methodology

• The research examined the anatomy of the sphenoidal and palatine paranasal sinuses in 16 equidae (horse family) primarily using transverse skull sections.
• The researchers studied the variations among individual horses, by documenting and photographing the relevant structures.

Findings

• The study found significant variations in the sphenopalatine sinus anatomy among individual horses.
• The researchers found the sphenoidal sinuses to be small in young horses, which seemed to grow larger and more complex with growing age.
• There was noted variation in the extent to which the sphenopalatine sinus extended into the basisphenoid bone.
• The septum dividing the left and right sphenoidal sinuses frequently deviated from the midline, though it was intact in all cases.
• It was also found that the sphenoidal and palatine sinuses communicated in most horses. The combined sphenopalatine sinuses usually drained directly into the caudal maxillary sinuses.
• In about 5 out of the 16 cases, compartments of the sphenoidal sinus also drained into the ethmoidal sinus.
• The dorsal and lateral walls of the sphenoidal sinus were found to be thin and directly adjacent to multiple cranial nerves and major blood vessels.

Conclusions

• The research concluded that the equine sphenoidal and palatine sinuses vary considerably in their anatomy but always share a close proximity to multiple cranial nerves and major blood vessels.
• This anatomical proximity indicates that many cranial nerves and blood vessels could potentially be damaged by disorders involving the sphenopalatine sinus, and could result in significant and variable neurological syndromes, hemorrhage, and the spread of sepsis.