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BMC veterinary research2014; 10; 72; doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-72

The sinonasal communication in the horse: examinations using computerized three-dimensional reformatted renderings of computed-tomography datasets.

Abstract: Sinusitis is a common disease in the horse. In human medicine it is described, that obstruction of the sinonasal communication plays a major role in the development of sinusitis. To get spatial sense of the equine specific communication ways between the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses, heads of 19 horses, aged 2 to 26 years, were analyzed using three-dimensional (3D) reformatted renderings of CT-datasets. Three-dimensional models were generated following manual and semi-automated segmentation. Before segmentation, the two-dimensional (2D) CT-images were verified against corresponding frozen sections of cadaveric heads. Results: Three-dimensional analysis of the paranasal sinuses showed the bilateral existence of seven sinus compartments: rostral maxillary sinus, ventral conchal sinus, caudal maxillary sinus, dorsal conchal sinus, frontal sinus, sphenopalatine sinus and middle conchal sinus. The maxillary septum divides these seven compartments into two sinus systems: a rostral paranasal sinus system composed of the rostral maxillary sinus and the ventral conchal sinus and a caudal paranasal sinus system which comprises all other sinuses. The generated 3D models revealed a typically configuration of the sinonasal communication ways. The sinonasal communication started within the middle nasal meatus at the nasomaxillary aperture (Apertura nasomaxillaris), which opens in a common sinonasal channel (Canalis sinunasalis communis). This common sinonasal channel ramifies into a rostral sinonasal channel (Canalis sinunasalis rostralis) and a caudo-lateral sinonasal channel (Canalis sinunasalis caudalis). The rostral sinonasal channel ventilated the rostral paranasal sinus system, the caudo-lateral sinonasal channel opened into the caudal paranasal sinus system. The rostral sinonasal channel was connected to the rostral paranasal sinuses in various ways. Whereas, the caudal channel showed less anatomical variations and was in all cases connected to the caudal maxillary sinus. Volumetric measurements of the sinonasal channels showed no statistically significant differences (P <0.05) between the right and left side of the head. Conclusions: Under physiologic conditions both paranasal sinus systems are connected to the nasal cavity by equine specific sinonasal channels. To resolve sinus disease it is aimed to maintain or even reconstruct the normal anatomy of the sinonasal communication by surgical intervention. Therefore, the presented 3D analyses may provide a useful basis.
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Publication Date: 2014-03-19 PubMed ID: 24646003PubMed Central: PMC3995307DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-72Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 investigates how the nasal and sinus cavities in horses communicate with each other, with the goal of improving understanding and treatment of sinusitis, a common equine disease. The study uses 3D renderings based on CT scans of horse heads to clearly visualize the complex channels and compartments that make up the horse’s respiratory system.

The Objectives and Methodology

  • The study’s objectives were to gain a clearer understanding of the ways in which the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses of horses communicate with each other, particularly focusing on their structure and connection.
  • To achieve these objectives, the researchers conducted a deep analysis on the heads of 19 horses of different ages, using 3D reformatted renderings of CT scan datasets.
  • Before segmenting the 2D CT images into 3D models, the study first verified them against corresponding frozen sections of cadaveric heads.
  • The segmentation of the images into 3D models was done both manually and semi-automatically.

Findings of the Study

  • Upon conducting the 3D analysis of the paranasal sinuses, it was found that there were seven sinus compartments present bilaterally in horses: rostral maxillary sinus, ventral conchal sinus, caudal maxillary sinus, dorsal conchal sinus, frontal sinus, sphenopalatine sinus, and middle conchal sinus.
  • A maxillary septum divided these seven compartments into two sinus systems: a rostral paranasal sinus system (composed of the rostral maxillary sinus and the ventral conchal sinus) and a caudal paranasal sinus system.
  • The study unveiled a typical configuration of communication ways between the nose and sinuses in horses. It all starts at the nasomaxillary aperture in the middle nasal meatus, which opens up to a common sinonasal channel. This common channel bifurcates into a rostral and a caudolateral channel.
  • It was observed that the rostral channel ventilated the rostral paranasal sinus system and showed various ways of connecting to the rostral paranasal sinuses, while the caudolateral channel was less complex, and always opened into the caudal paranasal sinus system.
  • Furthermore, no significant differences were shown in volumetric measurements between the sinonasal channels on the right and left sides of a horse’s head.

Conclusions and Implications of the Study

  • Under normal physiological conditions, both paranasal sinus systems in horses are connected to the nasal cavity by specific sinonasal channels.
  • This information could be valuable when surgically intervening in sinus diseases, as the aim should be the preservation or reconstruction of these normal sinonasal communication paths.
  • Overall, the researchers concluded that these 3D models and visual analysis could provide great insights that may be very useful for treating and understanding sinusitis in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Brinkschulte M, Bienert-Zeit A, Lüpke M, Hellige M, Ohnesorge B, Staszyk C. (2014). The sinonasal communication in the horse: examinations using computerized three-dimensional reformatted renderings of computed-tomography datasets. BMC Vet Res, 10, 72. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-10-72

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 10
Pages: 72

Researcher Affiliations

Brinkschulte, Markus
  • Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, Hannover D-30559, Germany. m.brinkschulte@gmx.de.
Bienert-Zeit, Astrid
    Lüpke, Matthias
      Hellige, Maren
        Ohnesorge, Bernhard
          Staszyk, Carsten

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Cadaver
            • Cranial Sinuses
            • Female
            • Horses / anatomy & histology
            • Male
            • Nasal Cavity / anatomy & histology

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 7 times.
            1. Köhler L, Schulz-Kornas E, Vervuert I, Gittel C, Winter K, Berner D, Gerlach K. Volumetric measurements of paranasal sinuses and examination of sinonasal communication in healthy Shetland ponies: anatomical and morphometric characteristics using computed tomography. BMC Vet Res 2021 Jan 21;17(1):41.
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