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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Volumetric measurements of paranasal sinuses and examination...
BMC veterinary research2021; 17(1); 41; doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-02748-6

Volumetric measurements of paranasal sinuses and examination of sinonasal communication in healthy Shetland ponies: anatomical and morphometric characteristics using computed tomography.

Abstract: Despite clinical importance and frequent occurrence of sinus disease, little is known about the size of paranasal sinuses and their communication in ponies and small horses. To examine the shape and volume of the paranasal sinuses and evaluate the sinonasal communication, three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of computed tomography (CT) datasets of 12 healthy adult Shetland ponies were performed and analysed. Linear measurements of head length and width were taken. Using semi-automatic segmentation, 3D-models of all sinus compartments were created. Volumetric measurement of the seven sinus compartments were conducted and statistical analysis was performed. Sinus volumes were compared between the left and right sinuses and the relation to age and head size was evaluated. Results: Structure and shape of the paranasal sinus system in Shetland ponies was similar to that of large horses. All seven sinus compartments on each side of the head were identified (rostral maxillary sinus, ventral conchal sinus, caudal maxillary sinus, dorsal conchal sinus, middle conchal sinus, frontal sinus, sphenopalatine sinus). The existence of a bilateral cranial and a caudal system formed by a maxillary septum was visible in all 12 individuals. The volumetric sizes of the left and right sinuses did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). A positive correlation between the size of the paranasal sinuses and the head length was shown. A relation between sinus volumes and age could not be proved in adult ponies aged > six years. Communication between single sinus compartments was identified. Furthermore, communication with the nasal cavity over the nasomaxillary aperture (Apertura nasomaxillaris) and a common sinonasal channel (Canalis sinunasalis communis) as well as its splitting up into a rostral and a caudolateral channel could be seen. Examination of the sinonasal communication was challenging and only a descriptive evaluation was possible. Conclusions: Our findings concerning the size, shape and volumetric dimensions of Shetland pony CT images could help improve CT interpretation of abnormal clinical cases as well as aiding clinicians to develop and select appropriate instruments for medical inspection and treatments.
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Publication Date: 2021-01-21 PubMed ID: 33478485PubMed Central: PMC7818571DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-02748-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 examines the size and communication of the paranasal sinuses in Shetland ponies, using three-dimensional reconstructions of computed tomography. The study findings could help improve computed tomography interpretation of abnormal cases, and also aid clinicians in developing and selecting appropriate tools for medical inspection and treatment.

Research Methodology

  • The study used computed tomography (CT) datasets from 12 healthy adult Shetland ponies, to perform detailed three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions and analyses of the paranasal sinuses and the sinonasal communication system.
  • Linear measurements of the ponies’ head length and width were taken.
  • Using a semi-automatic segmentation technique, 3D models of all sinus compartments were created.
  • Volumetric measurements of seven sinus compartments were conducted. The compartments identified were rostral maxillary sinus, ventral conchal sinus, caudal maxillary sinus, dorsal conchal sinus, middle conchal sinus, frontal sinus, and sphenopalatine sinus.
  • A statistical analysis of sinus volumes was performed, comparing the measurements between the left and right sinuses. The correlation between sinus size, age, and head size was also evaluated.

Results

  • The paranasal sinus system in Shetland ponies was found to be similar in structure and shape to that of large horses. All seven sinus compartments were identified on each side of the head.
  • The research showed the existence of a bilateral cranial and a caudal system formed by a maxillary septum in all 12 cases.
  • The study found no significant difference in the volumetric sizes of the left and right sinuses.
  • Results indicated a positive correlation between the size of the paranasal sinuses and the length of the head. However, no relation between sinus volumes and age was found in adult ponies aged over six years.
  • The study managed to identify communication between single sinus compartments. Communication with the nasal cavity over the nasomaxillary aperture and a common sinonasal channel, as well as its splitting into a rostral and a caudolateral channel, was observed.

Conclusions

  • The data collected about the size, shape, and volumetric dimensions of the paranasal sinuses in Shetland ponies can help improve the interpretation of CT images in abnormal clinical cases.
  • The findings may also assist clinicians in developing and selecting the best tools for medical inspections and treatments.
  • The analysis of the sinonasal communication system was challenging and only allowed for a descriptive evaluation. Future studies may work towards a more quantitative understanding of this system.

Cite This Article

APA
Köhler L, Schulz-Kornas E, Vervuert I, Gittel C, Winter K, Berner D, Gerlach K. (2021). Volumetric measurements of paranasal sinuses and examination of sinonasal communication in healthy Shetland ponies: anatomical and morphometric characteristics using computed tomography. BMC Vet Res, 17(1), 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-021-02748-6

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 1
Pages: 41
PII: 41

Researcher Affiliations

Köhler, Lisa
  • Department for Horses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 21, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany. lisa.koehler@uni-leipzig.de.
Schulz-Kornas, Ellen
  • Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Max Planck Weizmann Centre for Integrative Archaeology and Anthropology (MPWC), Deutscher Platz 6, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany.
  • Department of Cardiology, Endodontics and Periodontology, University of Leipzig, Liebigstr. 12, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany.
Vervuert, Ingrid
  • University of Leipzig, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Nutrition Diseases and Dietetics, (IAND), , An den Tierkliniken 9, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany.
Gittel, Claudia
  • Department for Horses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 21, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany.
  • Queens Veterinary School Hospital, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK.
Winter, Karsten
  • Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 13, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany.
Berner, Dagmar
  • Equine Referral Hospital, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, Leipzig, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK.
Gerlach, Kerstin
  • Department for Horses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 21, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Head / anatomy & histology
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Male
  • Nasal Cavity / anatomy & histology
  • Paranasal Sinuses / anatomy & histology
  • Paranasal Sinuses / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • IN-1260910 / Universitu00e4t Leipzig

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Goodarzi N, Zehtabvar O, Tohidifar M. Applied anatomy of the skull in the Arabian horse: A computed tomographic, cross-sectional, volumetric and morphometric study. Vet Med Sci 2021 Nov;7(6):2225-2233.
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  4. Riahi Z, Naeini AT, Zare R. Evaluation of maturation-related changes in maxillary sinus diameter and cheek teeth positioning relative to the maxillary sinus in the Dareshuri horse. J Equine Sci 2025;36(3):81-91.
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  5. Kabkia BD, Ouertani L, Lamari A, Magnibo GN, Khalifa AB. Gross Anatomical Description and CT Scan of the Dromedary Paranasal Sinuses. Vet Med Sci 2025 May;11(3):e70408.
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