Hands On: Sinusitis in horses 30 April 2014 Premium

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30 April 2014

Irish Field Contributor on 30 Apr 2014

Hands On: Sinusitis in horses

Turlough McNally explains this condition of sinusitis in horses and how to treat it

Irish Field Contributor

30 April 2014

Fig 1: X-ray of the skull as viewed from the side. The white arrows denote a fluid line in the paranasal sinuses created by liquid pus.

Fig 2: A. Endoscopic image demonstrating a progressive ethmoid haematoma obstructing the nasal passage. B. X-ray of the same horse as viewed from the front.

Fig 3: Indwelling catheter placed into the left paranasal sinuses used for flushing following removal of a tumor via two bone flaps that have been stapled back in place.

Anatomy

The paranasal sinuses occupy a large portion of the equine skull. Seven interconnected sinuses are located on each side of the skull. These are air-filled cavities that are lined by a thin mucosal layer that constantly secretes mucus. In the normal horse, mucus drains via a complex system into the nasopharynx from where it is swallowed.