| Abstract: | Eighty-five cases of equine nasal cavity and/or paranasal sinus disease (NC-PNSD) at Washington State University were reviewed with respect to incidence, clinical signs, treatment regimen and outcome. Incidence was 1.06 percent of all equine admissions over an 8-year period (July 1, 1977–June 30, 1985). For purposes of review, cases were divided into 6 groups depending upon etiology: 1. traumatic disorders, 2. developmental disorders, 3. neoplasia, 4. primary bacterial sinusitis, 5. sinusitis secondary to dental disorders, and 6. miscellaneous conditions.No correlation between sex or breed with NC-PNSD was identified. Traumatic and developmental disorders were most common in horses under 6-years-of-age and neoplastic conditions were most prevalent in horses over 10-years-of-age.The most common clinical signs of NC-PNSD, regardless of etiology were bony swelling or abnormalities noted externally, nasal discharge, and rhinodyspnea, followed by signs referrable to the oral cavity, external draining tracts, and epistaxis. All clinical signs were usually of a chronic duration (more than 2 weeks). Procedures which were most helpful in establishing a diagnosis were radiography (92% of cases), endoscopy (38%) sinocentesis (21 %), and examination of the oral cavity (20%).Of 74 horses available for follow-up, 49 were treated. Treatment was either not recommended or was declined by the owner in 12 cases, and euthanasia was performed without treatment in 13. Forty-six cases were treated surgically. The outcome of 23 of the cases was judged successful. Five had reduced clinical signs following surgery, and 18 were unsuccessfully treated. Those disorders judged to be traumatic in origin responded best to treatment while those involving neoplasia were the least successfully treated. |
