Neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser-assisted excision of progressive ethmoid hematomas in horses: 20 cases (1986-1996).
OBJECTIVE
To describe a technique of contact neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser-assisted excision of progressive ethmoid hematoma (PEH) in horses, to determine the recurrence rate of clinical signs of PEH in horses with follow-up time of a minimum of 12 months, and to compare this result with reported results achieved by using conventional techniques.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
21 horses with 26 PEH.


METHODS
Medical records of all horses with PEH treated by Nd:YAG laser excision from December 1986 through August 1996 were analyzed. Twenty-one horses underwent unilateral (18 surgeries) or bilateral (14) frontonasal bone flap with excision of the mass, using an Nd:YAG laser. One horse with bilateral PEH underwent a unilateral bone flap twice, 1 year apart.


RESULTS
1 horse died. Four of 20 horses with followup times of 12 months or longer had recurrence of PEH. The PEH recurrence rate was 20% (5/25 PEH). Three of 6 horses with bilateral lesions had recurrence of PEH. Recurrence rate for horses that had bilateral PEH (3/6 horses) was greater than for horses with unilateral PEH (1/14 horses).


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of PEH by Nd:YAG laser excision through a frontonasal bone flap results in a recurrence rate comparable with that reported for conventional techniques. Horses with bilateral lesions are more likely to have a recurrence of PEH.
Rothaug
P G
PG
Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square 19348, USA.
Tulleners
E P
EP
D000818:Animals; D005005:Ethmoid Sinus; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006406:Hematoma / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors