Sinoscopic treatment of rostral maxillary and ventral conchal sinusitis in 60 horses.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of sinoscopy for detection and treatment of ventral conchal sinus (VCS) and/or rostral maxillary sinus (RMS) disease in horses.


METHODS
Case series


METHODS
Horses (n=60) with suspected paranasal sinus disease.


METHODS
Horses were evaluated by sinoscopy through a conchofrontal sinus (CFS) portal with ventral conchal bulla (VCB) fenestration. Other endoscopic sinus approaches and adjunctive diagnostic tests; oral examination, computed tomography, radiography, scintigraphy and endoscopic examination of the upper portion of the respiratory tract were used in some horses.


RESULTS
The CFS approach permitted adequate observation of the RMS and VCS in 53 horses (88%). Hemorrhage caused by VCB fenestration prevented examination of the RMS and/or VCS in 12 horses (21%). Observation of lesions was possible in all horses diagnosed with neoplasia, sinus cysts, and progressive ethmoidal hematomas. Endoscopy of the paranasal sinuses was useful diagnostically in 82% of horses with primary sinusitis. Other diagnostic modalities were usually required to confirm a diagnosis of dental sinusitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Trephination into the CFS with VCB fenestration is a minimally invasive technique that provides consistent access to the RMS and VCS. It facilitates diagnosis of many sinus disorders and endoscopically guided treatment of many horses with sinus cysts and primary sinusitis, in combination with sinus lavage.


CONCLUSIONS
Many diseases affecting the RMS and VCS can be diagnosed and resolved endoscopically using a CFS approach with VCB fenestration, thus avoiding the need for osteoplastic sinus surgery and its associated risks and complications.
Perkins
Justin D
JD
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, UK. jperkins@rvc.ac.uk
Windley
Zoë
Z
Dixon
Padraic M
PM
Smith
Matthew
M
Barakzai
Safia Z
SZ
D017677:Age Distribution; D000818:Animals; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D003560:Cysts / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D009181:Mycoses / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary