Ethmoid adenocarcinoma perforating the cribriform plate in the horse.

The article reports a case of a horse suffering from a chronic nasal discharge, which was later identified to be the result of an adenocarcinoma that had eroded the cribriform plate in its skull. The study emphasizes the need for thorough examination when dealing with large nasal cavity masses in horses.

Case Representation

• The research revolves around a clinical case of an 8-year-old Thoroughbred mare which was brought for examination due to a chronic, one-sided nasal discharge.

Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment

• Physical examination, radiology, and video-endoscopy were carried out to identify the cause, leading to a diagnosis of an ethmoidal hematoma.
• This ethmoidal hematoma was removed via surgical ablation, after which it was found that there was a defect in the horse’s cribriform plate, a thin bone that separates the nasal cavity from the brain.

Necropsy and Histology Results

• Post-mortem examination revealed a 1.5cm gap in the left cribriform plate. This defect provided a direct path between the base of the nasal passage and the cranium.
• The histology of the mass taken out during the surgery revealed that the tissue was consistent with an adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that forms in mucus-secreting glands.

Implication and Further Recommendation

• The report suggests that a history of profuse nosebleeds should lead to further investigation in order to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions.
• During surgeries to remove large masses found in the upper-back region of the nasal cavity, the study recommends that the state of the cribriform plate be carefully examined to check for defects or related damage.