Identification of a periorbital wooden foreign body as the cause of chronic ocular discharge in a horse.

The study identifies a wooden foreign body in a horse’s eye area as the cause of persistent eye discharge, demonstrating the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the process and the need for multiple surgical procedures for such conditions.

Research Objective

• This study sought to document the clinical presentation, use of MRI, and treatment process for a horse suffering from a wooden foreign body lodged deeply in its masseter muscle adjacent to its right eye. The case is interesting as the horse had no previous trauma or visible puncture marks.

Methods Employed

• Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify the wooden foreign body within the horse’s soft tissues. The usage of MRI was critical as it helped identify the exact location of the foreign body in an area not apparent from an external inspection.

Findings

• It was discovered through MRI that the horse had a wooden foreign object lodged in the deeper portion of the masseter muscle (a major muscle in the jaw) bordering its right eye area.
• This foreign object was causing chronic copious ocular discharge in the horse, a symptom that had been persisting over an extended period.

Treatment and Conclusion

• Two surgical procedures were necessary to completely remove the wooden foreign body. This fact underlines the complexities involved in treating such cases, where wooden foreign bodies get lodged in remote soft tissue areas.
• This study documents the efficacy of MRI in detecting foreign bodies embedded in a horse’s soft tissues, giving no external signs of trauma or wounds. The findings serve to highlight the importance of advanced imaging techniques in veterinary medicine, especially for complex cases presenting subtle symptoms.