Endoscopic examination and treatment of paranasal sinus disease in 16 horses.

This study involved endoscopic examination and treatment of paranasal sinus disease in 16 horses, with findings corresponding with radiographic results in 81% of cases. The process, which helped in diagnosing and managing the disease, potentially reduced the need for exploratory sinusotomy.

Study Design

• The study involved 16 horses that had a suspected occurrence of paranasal sinus disease. They were examined using a 4.0 mm arthroscope while either sedated (14 horses) or under general anesthesia (two horses).
• Different endoscopic diagnoses were made, including sinusitis (four horses), sinus cyst (three horses), hemorrhage (three horses), neoplasia (three horses), and tooth root abnormalities (two horses). No abnormalities were detected in one of the horses.

Procedure and Findings

• The findings from the endoscopy correlated with the radiographic findings in 13 of the 16 horses, which is approximately 81%.
• The researchers were able to collect sinus content samples for bacteriologic (eight horses) and histologic examinations (five horses) using sinus endoscopy.

Clinical Intervention and Outcomes

• Endoscopy was performed as a diagnostic technique and also combined with debridement, lavage, and suction as a therapeutic technique in 10 of the horses.
• In three horses, sinus exploration was performed after diagnostic endoscopy confirmed the presence of sinus disease. In another three horses, further therapy was not recommended after sinus endoscopy.
• The treatment led to the resolution of clinical signs of sinus disease in 11 horses (69%) overall and in eight of 10 horses (80%) diagnosed with sinusitis, cyst formation, or hemorrhage using endoscopic techniques alone.

Complications and Conclusion

• All horses experienced mild, local subcutaneous emphysema at the portal sites. However, healing occurred without any additional complications. One horse suffered iatrogenic damage to the sinus structures.
• The study concluded that sinus endoscopy was useful in the diagnosis and management of paranasal sinus disease, and it potentially avoided the need for exploratory sinusotomy in some horses.