Clinical Research Abstracts of the British Equine Veterinary Association Congress 2015.

This research conducted by the British Equine Veterinary Association aims to understand the structure and features of the dorsal and ventral nasal conchal bullae in horses for better diagnosis and treatment of their disorders.

Research Objective and Methodology

• The study’s objective was to explore and document the structure, drainage, and histology of the equine Dorsal Nasal Conchal Bulla (DCB) and Ventral Nasal Conchal Bulla (VCB). These structures have been observed to become infected, leading to chronic unilateral nasal discharge in horses, yet there isn’t much documentation about their anatomy.
• As part of the methodology, the researchers used fourteen fresh cadaveric horse heads, which were dissected to expose the nasal conchal bullae. They documented the measurements of each bulla, the number of drainage apertures, cellulae, and the orientation of septae. Samples were also collected for histopathological study.

Findings

• The researchers found that the lengths and widths of DCB and VCB varied among the sample, with the DCB typically larger than the VCB. The drainage apertures were found to be 2 and 1, and the cellulae number 3 and 2 in DCB and VCB respectively.
• Interestingly, no communications were identified between the DCB and VCB and the adjacent paranasal sinuses, something that had been the subject of previous speculation.
• The histological analysis revealed that the bullae contained ciliated, pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium supported by a glandular submucosa often overlying turbinate bone and, variably, hyaline cartilage.
• As a conclusion, the researchers noted that the equine nasal conchal bullae’s morphology is quite variable. The DCB is generally more complex than the VCB, proving to be a more intricate structure with more septae, cellulae, and drainage apertures.

Implications and Ethical Considerations

• This research holds significant implications in the successful treatment and diagnosis of disorders related to horse nasal conchal bullae since it provides a detailed understanding of DCB and VCB anatomy.
• In relation to ethical animal research, the study was deemed exempt from ethical oversight by this particular conference as the material was obtained from an abattoir rather than living animals. Also, no conflicts of interest were identified by the researchers involved.