Computed tomography of temporal bone fractures and temporal region anatomy in horses.

This research presents a study on the association between temporal bone fracture location and orientation in horses, and the frequency of various nerve deficits or temporal bone diseases. The research was based on the retrospective analysis of computed tomography (CT) scans of horses, but didn’t find any connection between fracture classifications and specific cranial nerve deficits.

Objective

The study aimed to understand if there was a relationship between temporal bone fractures, located in different regions in horses, and the occurrence of nerve deficits and temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO). It was hypothesized that using CT scanning, the researchers could associate specific locations and orientations of the fractures with specific types of trauma.

Methods

• The research was conducted retrospectively, using CT scans of the temporal region of horses taken at the researchers’ hospital between July 1998 and May 2008.
• During this period, CT examinations of the temporal region were performed on 79 horses, resulting in 158 examinations of temporal bones.
• The data from these examinations were then analyzed with the researchers blind to the identities of the horses.
• The researchers investigated relationships between temporal bone fractures and occurrences of ipsilateral THO, ipsilateral CN7, or ipsilateral CN8 deficits.
• Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square or Fischer’s exact tests.

Results

• A total of 16 temporal bone fractures were detected in 14 out of the 79 horses examined.
• The cranial nerve deficits were observed with fractures in all parts of the temporal bone including petrosal, squamous, and temporal regions.
• There was an association between temporal bone fractures and CN7 and CN8 deficits and THO.
• Despite these associations, the researchers found no fracture classification scheme that was associated with specific cranial nerve deficits.

Conclusions

The results underline the importance of the knowledge of regional anatomy in accurately identifying temporal bone fractures. Although no link was found between the fracture classification scheme and the assessed clinical signs, the researchers recommend using simple descriptive terminology such as location and orientation for reporting and future comparisons.