Complementary Radiographic Projection for Evaluation of the Conchal Sinuses and Bullae in Horses.
Abstract: Radiographic examination of the skull is a well-established and indispensable procedure for the diagnostic evaluation of dental and paranasal sinus disorders in horses. Complementary projections make significant contributions to radiographic diagnosis in nasal conchae disorders. This article describes a complementary radiographic projection designed for the evaluation of the conchal sinuses and bullae in horses. Six equine cadaveric heads were used. Specimens were dissected, and openings were created in the ventral and dorsal nasal conchae for the introduction of radiopaque material. The new radiographic projection was named lateral 75° dorsal-lateral ventral oblique view. This projection was obtained with the mandibular rami resting on the imaging plate and the mandible displaced toward the side of interest (partial excursion). The X-ray beam was directed dorsoventrally, slightly angled toward the side of interest (left or right offset mandible dorsoventral view), and centered at an imaginary line connecting the tips of the facial crests. The lateral 75° dorsal-lateral ventral oblique view provided enhanced visualization and allowed correct identification of equine conchal structures. Lateral displacement of the mandible and the 75° angle of inclination to the vertical plane eliminated the superimposition of anatomical structures, facilitating radiographic image interpretation and increasing diagnostic accuracy. This complementary projection is recommended in all cases of sinonasal disorders in horses.
© 2025 The Author(s). Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Radiology.
Publication Date: 2025-05-16 PubMed ID: 40375058PubMed Central: PMC12081783DOI: 10.1111/vru.70046Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article discusses a new radiographic technique for assessing conchal sinuses and bullae in horse skulls, which can aid in diagnosing dental and paranasal sinus disorders.
Research Objective
- The main goal of this research was to devise a new complementary radiographic projection method for examining the conchal sinuses and bullae, crucial anatomical structures in horse skulls. This is aimed at improving the diagnostic potential in horses suffering from dental and paranasal sinus disorders.
Methodology
- The research was performed on six equine (horse) cadaveric heads, with openings created in the ventral and dorsal nasal conchae for the introduction of radiopaque material, which is visible in radiographs.
- The researchers introduced a novel radiographic projection named the lateral 75° dorsal-lateral ventral oblique view.
- In obtaining this view, the mandibular rami (the part of horse’s jaw) was rested on the imaging plate, and the mandible itself was slightly displaced towards the side of interest. This is described as a partial excursion.
- The X-ray beam was then angled dorsoventrally (from the back to the front), slightly skewed towards the side of interest, and centered at an imaginary line connecting the tips of the facial crests.
Results
- The new projection technique resulted in enhanced visualization, permitting for the correct identification of the structures within the nasal conchae of the horse’s skull.
- The use of a 75° angle of inclination and the lateral displacement of the mandible proved to eliminate the superimposition of anatomical structures. This is significant as it helps to clarify the interpretation of the radiographic image, improving diagnostic accuracy.
Recommendation
- The researchers recommend this new complementary projection technique for all cases of sinonasal disorders in horses, due to the improved visibility and diagnostic precision it offers.
Cite This Article
APA
Mendes RP, Lima AE, da Cunha R, Bittar MJ, Vasconcelos CC, Piñeros DDV, Corrêa RR.
(2025).
Complementary Radiographic Projection for Evaluation of the Conchal Sinuses and Bullae in Horses.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 66(3), e70046.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.70046 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Self-Employed Veterinarian, Horse Dentist Brasil, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Self-Employed Veterinarian, Jaguariúna, Brazil.
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Self-Employed Veterinarian, Horse Dentist Brasil, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Self-Employed Veterinarian, BittarVet, Rio Claro, Brazil.
- Self-Employed Veterinarian, Horse Dentist Brasil, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Self-Employed Veterinarian, Sed, Bogotá, Colombia.
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Cadaver
- Radiography / veterinary
- Radiography / methods
- Turbinates / diagnostic imaging
- Paranasal Sinuses / diagnostic imaging
Grant Funding
- Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel-Brazil (CAPES)
- National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)-Financing Code 001
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
References
This article includes 16 references
- Gerlach K, Vervuert I, Gittel C. An Anatomical Study of the Dorsal and Ventral Nasal Conchal Bullae and Middle Nasal Conchae in Normal Shetland Ponies: Computed Tomographic Anatomical and Morphometric Findings. Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia 50, no. 3 (2020): 431–438.
- . Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria. (2017).
- Tremaine W H, Dixon P M. A Long‐term Study of 277 Cases of Equine Sinonasal Disease. Part 1: Details of Horses, Historical, Clinical and Ancillary Diagnostic Findings. Equine Veterinary Journal 33, no. 3 (2001): 274–282.
- Dixon P M, Froydenlund T, Liuti T, Kane‐Smyth J, Horbal A, Reardon R J M. Empyema of the Nasal Conchal bulla as a Cause of Chronic Unilateral Nasal Discharge in the Horse: 10 Cases (2013‐2014). Equine Veterinary Journal 47, no. 4 (2015): 445–449.
- Dixon P M, Parkin T D, Collins N. Equine Paranasal Sinus Disease—a Long‐term Study of 200 Cases (1997–2009): Ancillary Diagnostic Findings and Involvement of the Various Sinus Compartments. Equine Veterinary Journal 44, no. 3 (2012): 267–271.
- Dixon P M, Barnett T P, Morgan R E, Reardon R J M. Computed Tomographic Assessment of Individual Paranasal Sinus Compartment and Nasal Conchal Bulla Involvement in 300 Cases of Equine Sinonasal Disease. Frontiers Veterinary Science 7 (2020): 580356.
- Brinkschulte M, Bienert‐Zeit A, Lüpke M, Hellige M, Staszyk C, Ohnesorge B. Using Semi‐automated Segmentation of Computed Tomography Datasets for Three‐dimensional Visualization and Volume Measurements of Equine Paranasal Sinuses. Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound 54, no. 6 (2013): 582–590.
- Giavitto A E, Barakzai S Z. Radiographic Identification of the Equine Dorsal and Ventral Nasal Conchal Bullae. Equine Veterinary Education 31, no. 5 (2019): 264–270.
- Feichtenhofer P, Simhofer H, Hof K, Kneissl S. Complementary Radiographic Projection of the Equine Maxillary Sinus. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 33 (2013): 565–569.
- Barakzai S. Radiology of Equine Cheek Teeth and Sinus Disorders. In Practice 36 (2014): 466–472.
- Limone L E, Baratt R M. Dental Radiography of the Horse. Journal of Veterinary Dentistry 35, no. 1 (2018): 37–41.
- Piñeros D D V, de Lima A E. Radiographic Anatomy of the Nasal Conchal Bullae Andconchal Sinuses in Mature Horses. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound: The Official Journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association (2024): 1–8.
- Romero Corrêa R, Peres Mendes R, Darley Velasquez Piñeros D. Gross, Organoleptic and Histologic Assessment of Cadaveric Equine Heads Preserved Using Chemical Methods for Veterinary Surgical Teaching. J Vet Sci 25, no. 2 (2024 Mar): e29.
- Liuti T, Reardon R, Smith S, Dixon P M. An Anatomical Study of the Dorsal and Ventral Nasal Conchal Bullae in Normal Horses: Computed Tomographic Anatomical and Morphometric Findings. Equine Veterinary Journal 48, no. 6 (2016): 749–755.
- Finnegan C M, Townsend N B, Barnett T P, Barakzai S Z. Radiographic Identification of the Equine Ventral Conchal Bulla. Veterinary Record 169, no. 26 (2011): 683–683.
- Stoll M, Ros K, Vogt C. The Hemisphere Model—A New Description of Directions for Head Radiographs in the Horse. Pferdeheilkunde 27 (2011): 115–118.
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
