title: Preliminary anatomic investigation of three approaches to the equine cranium and brain for limited craniectomy procedures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe surgical approaches to the equine cranium and brain for limited craniectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive anatomic study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Equine cadavers (n=7).
  
  
  METHODS
  Head and neck sections from cadavers were used to establish techniques for exposing areas of the equine brain. Three basic approaches were used: rostrotentorial, suboccipital, and transfrontal. Techniques were adapted from small animal descriptions and modified to account for anatomic differences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Descriptions of the rostrotentorial, suboccipital, and transfrontal approaches to the equine cranium and brain were defined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dorsal, caudal, lateral, and rostral aspects of the cranium and underlying cerebral cortex can be accessed using the rostrotentorial, suboccipital, and transfrontal approaches. Access to the dorsal, dorsolateral, and rostral aspects of the cerebral cortex is uncomplicated and more superficial compared with access to the extreme caudolateral cerebrum and cerebellum, which is complicated by the location of the transverse and temporal sinuses and deep exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many cases of equine brain disorders involve intracranial abscessation or hematoma formation because of trauma. Components of therapy may include microbial culture and surgical drainage or decompression of the affected area through limited craniectomy procedures. Increased use of advanced imaging in equine brain disease has resulted in earlier diagnosis and more precise lesion localization. Subsequently, the number of horses likely to improve with limited surgical intervention has increased. When surgery is indicated, descriptions of surgical approaches to the equine cranium and brain provide important information.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia, MO, USA. kramerjo@missouri.edu
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: Joan R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Coates
authors.forename: Anton G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: Brian L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Frappier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D002102:Cadaver; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004520:Education, Veterinary; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D006736:Horses / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D012016:Reference Values; D012886:Skull / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery*