Imaging basilar skull fractures in the horse: a review.
Abstract: Due to the complex nature of the anatomy of the equine head, superimposition of numerous structures, and poor soft tissue differentiation, radiography may be of limited value in the diagnosis of basilar skull fractures. However, in many horses radiographic changes such as soft tissue opacification of the guttural pouch region, irregular bone margination at the sphenooccipital line, attenuation of the nasopharynx, ventral displacement of the dorsal pharyngeal wall and the presence of irregularly shaped bone fragments in the region of the guttural pouches are suggestive of a fracture of the skull base. These findings in conjunction with physical examination findings and historical information may lead to a presumptive diagnosis of a fracture. When available and when the patient will accommodate the equipment, computed tomography may give a definitive diagnosis owing to its superior resolution and differentiation of soft tissue structures.
Publication Date: 1998-10-15 PubMed ID: 9771589DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.1998.tb01624.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
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The research article is a review of imaging techniques used for diagnosing basilar skull fractures in horses. Using radiography can be limiting due to the complex structure of the equine skull, and computed tomography might offer a better resolution and tissue distinction.
Overview of the Problem
- The anatomy of a horse’s head is complex, presenting challenges for diagnoses that involve it.
- The layering of several structures and weak differentiation of soft tissue can hamper the usefulness of radiography in diagnosing basilar skull fractures.
Radiography in Diagnosing Equine Skull Fractures
- Despite the limitations of radiography, it can reveal several changes in many horses that suggest a fracture of the skull base.
- Such changes include soft tissue opacification of the guttural pouch region, irregular bone margination at the sphenooccipital line, attenuation of the nasopharynx, ventral displacement of the dorsal pharyngeal wall, and the presence of irregularly shaped bone fragments in the region of the guttural pouches.
- However, these findings are not sufficient by themselves, they should be combined with physical examinations and historical information to tentatively diagnose a fracture.
Computed Tomography as an Alternative
- When available and when the horse can handle the equipment, computed tomography (CT) may provide a definitive diagnosis.
- CT offers superior resolution and differentiation of soft tissue structures, overcoming some of the limitations of radiography.
Cite This Article
APA
Ramirez O, Jorgensen JS, Thrall DE.
(1998).
Imaging basilar skull fractures in the horse: a review.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 39(5), 391-395.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8261.1998.tb01624.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Anatomy, Physiological Sciences and Radiology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / injuries
- Occipital Bone / anatomy & histology
- Occipital Bone / diagnostic imaging
- Occipital Bone / injuries
- Radiography
- Skull Fractures / diagnostic imaging
- Skull Fractures / physiopathology
- Skull Fractures / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Thomas-Cancian A, Ségard-Weisse E, Drumond B, Cadoré JL. Diagnostic Imaging of Diseases Affecting the Guttural Pouch. Vet Sci 2023 Aug 16;10(8).
- Martin-Giménez T, Cruz AM, Barragán A, Montero E, Sanchez PG, Caballero G, Corradini I. Delayed onset vagus nerve paralysis after occipital condyle fracture in a horse. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Nov;33(6):2780-2785.
- Derham AM, Johnson JP, Kearney CM, O'Leary JM. Surgical repair of a depressed, comminuted fracture of the zygomatic process of the frontal bone using a locking compression plate in a Thoroughbred colt foal. Clin Case Rep 2019 Jan;7(1):110-114.
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