title: Empyema of the nasal conchal bulla as a cause of chronic unilateral nasal discharge in the horse: 10 cases (2013-2014).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Empyema of the nasal conchal bullae has recently been identified in horses suffering from chronic unilateral nasal discharge. The diagnosis and management of such cases has not been reported previously.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the diagnosis and treatment of cases suffering from empyema of the nasal conchal bullae and report the frequency of diagnosis from a population of horses referred for head computed tomography (CT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Records from cases diagnosed with nasal conchal bulla disease using CT were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Abnormalities of the nasal conchal bullae were identified by CT in 10 cases (8 ventral conchal bulla, 2 dorsal conchal bulla), from 102 equine head CT examinations. Eight cases were subsequently treated at the study clinic, 7 of which had concurrent paranasal sinus disease. In 3 cases, fenestration of the ventral conchal bulla per nasum facilitated drainage and clearance of empyema.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Disease of the conchal bullae should be considered as a potential cause of chronic unilateral nasal discharge in horses. Clearance of empyema within these bullae is unlikely to occur through lavage of the paranasal sinuses alone. Where necessary, fenestration of the bulla allows physical removal of infected material.
authors.affiliation: Equine Hospital, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.affiliation: Equine Hospital, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Froydenlund
authors.affiliation: Equine Hospital, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Luiti
authors.affiliation: Equine Hospital, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kane-Smyth
authors.affiliation: Equine Hospital, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Horbal
authors.affiliation: Equine Hospital, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: R J M
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Reardon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004653:Empyema / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D006736:Horses; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014420:Turbinates / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: conchal bulla; horse; nasal endoscopy; paranasal sinusitis