Straight Egyptian Arabian skull morphology presents unique surgical challenges compared to the Thoroughbred: a computed tomography morphometric anatomical study.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to compare the skull morphology of the Straight Egyptian Arabian (SEAR) to the Thoroughbred (TB), using computed tomography (CT) in the context of surgical procedures commonly performed on the equine head. Methods: Measurements relating to surgical considerations of the equine head were taken from 29 clinically normal adult horses (15 SEAR, 14 TB). Methods: A clinical prospective study. Standing skull CTs were performed. Fourteen gross and 10 CT measurements were taken. Results: Several variables showed a significant difference between groups, in all cases greater in TB. Head length (P < .001) and facial crest length (P < .001) were significantly shorter in SEAR than TB. The head length was shorter relative to body height in SEAR (P < .001). The lateral length of a virtual maxillary bone flap was shorter in SEAR (P < .001). SEAR had smaller craniofacial angles than TB (P = .018). Conclusions: SEAR skull morphology differs significantly from TB, making surgical approaches potentially more challenging. Compared with TB, the shorter facial crest in the SEAR group could contribute to poor surgical access to the maxillary sinus in SEAR due to shorter maxillary flap lengths. Significant differences in the craniofacial angles between SEAR and TB suggest similarities between SEAR and brachycephalic dog breeds, warranting further investigation.
Publication Date: 2023-03-28 PubMed ID: 36972699DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.22.11.0191Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research scrutinizes the difference in skull structure between Straight Egyptian Arabian (SEAR) and Thoroughbred (TB) horses. Through the use of computed tomography scans, the study reveals considerable disparities between these horse types, which potentially complicates surgical procedures on the equine head, especially in SEAR horses.
Research Methodology
- The investigation encompassed two sections of horse breeds, Straight Egyptian Arabian (SEAR) and Thoroughbred (TB), with 15 and 14 clinically healthy adult specimens respectively.
- Using computed tomography technology (or CT scans), the research team obtained detailed images of the horses’ heads and utilized these to make precise measurements.
- These measurements considered several variables related to equine head surgical considerations. A total of fourteen gross measurements and ten CT calculations were performed on each horse.
Research Findings
- This research discovered significant differences between the two types of horses in several analyzed variables. Notably, these disparities were always greater in TB horses.
- Head length and facial crest length were significantly shorter in SEAR horses, which could be a challenge for surgical interventions as shorter facial crests can impede proper surgical access to the maxillary sinus in SEAR due to shorter maxillary flap lengths.
- The study also found that the lateral length of a virtual maxillary bone flap was shorter in SEAR horses.
- In addition to these findings, SEAR horses showed smaller craniofacial angles compared to TB horses. This finding suggests similarities between the skull structure of SEAR horses and brachycephalic dog breeds usually characterized by a shortened snout and skull.
Conclusions
- The conclusive observations drawn from this study underline that the skull morphology of Straight Egyptian Arabian horses differs notably from Thoroughbred horses.
- As a consequence, surgical procedures on SEAR horses’ heads can present unique challenges that are not typically associated with Thoroughbred horses.
- The findings may lead to further studies to find the connection between the skull morphology of SEAR horses and brachycephalic dogs.
Cite This Article
APA
Pompermayer E, Hoey S, Ryan J, David F, Johnson JP.
(2023).
Straight Egyptian Arabian skull morphology presents unique surgical challenges compared to the Thoroughbred: a computed tomography morphometric anatomical study.
Am J Vet Res, 84(5), ajvr.22.11.0191.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.22.11.0191 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center, A Member of Qatar Foundation, Al Rayyan, Doha, Qatar.
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center, A Member of Qatar Foundation, Al Rayyan, Doha, Qatar.
- EquiTom - Namur, A Member of the Equine Care Group, Mazy, Belgium.
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center, A Member of Qatar Foundation, Al Rayyan, Doha, Qatar.
MeSH Terms
- Dogs
- Animals
- Horses
- Egypt
- Prospective Studies
- Skull / diagnostic imaging
- Skull / surgery
- Skull / anatomy & histology
- Head
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
