IMAGING BASILAR SKULL FRACTURES IN THE HORSE: A REVIEW |
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Authors: | Oscar Ramirez III DVM Joan S Jorgensen DVM Donald E Thrall DVM PhD |
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Institution: | Department of Anatomy, Physiological Sciences and Radiology, North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC 27606.;Department of Food Animal and Equine Medicine, North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC 27606. |
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Abstract: | Due to the complex nature of the anatomy of the equine head, superimposition of numerous structures, and poor soft tissue differentiation, radiography may be of limited value in the diagnosis of basilar skull fractures. However, in many horses radiographic changes such as soft tissue opacification of the guttural pouch region, irregular bone margination at the sphenoccipital line, attenuation of the nasopharynx, ventral displacement of the dorsal pharyngeal wall and the presence of irregularly shaped bone fragments in the region of the guttural pouches are suggestive of a fracture of the skull base. These findings in conjunction with physical examination findings and historical information may lead to a presumptive diagnosis of a fracture. When available and when the patient will accommodate the equipment, computed tomography may give a definitive diagnosis owing to its superior resolution and differentiation of soft tissue structures. |
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Keywords: | basisphenoid basilar skull fracture guttural pouch equine |
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