The six typical radiographic findings suggestive of equine basilar skull fractures are displacement of the basisphenoid-basioccipital suture line, soft tissue opacification of the Eustachian tube diverticula (ETD), ventral deviation of the dorsal pharyngeal wall, attenuation of the nasopharynx, bony fragments in the ETD and the presence of gas opacities in the cranial vault or cranial cervical spine (Ramirez III et al. 2007 Ragle 1993 Ramirez III, Jorgensen & Thrall 1998) and are associated with high morbidity and mortality (McSloy et al. rectus capitis ventralis major, rectus capitis ventralis minor and longus capitis ventralis) (Feary et al. Basisphenoid-basioccipital bone fractures are often associated with avulsion fractures at the insertion of the flexor muscles at the base of the skull (e.g. In a clinically normal horse, this line can be as much as three times wider ventrally than dorsally (Ackerman, Coffman & Corley 1974). The body of the basisphenoid bone articulates caudally with the rostral aspect of the basioccipital bone and this suture line can be seen radiographically up to five years of age (Butler et al. The basilar part of the skull consists of the presphenoid, basisphenoid and basioccipital bones. Although head trauma can occur at any age, young horses are particularly prone to head injury as they are more likely to resist restraint of the head than older horses. The value and limitation of computed tomography versus radiography for the diagnosis of basilar skull fracture are discussed in this report.įalling over backwards is the single most common event that leads to basilar skull fracture in horses (Ragle 1993). The horse was subsequently euthanased owing to the poor prognosis necropsy findings were compatible with imaging findings. A diagnosis of a comminuted basilar skull fracture was made and skull radiographs were taken for comparison. Following medical therapy for acute onset neurological impairment secondary to a suspected basilar skull fracture, the horse was anaesthetised and computed tomography of the skull was performed. Saulez Adrienne Viljoen Ann Carstensĭepartment of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, University of Pretoria, South AfricaĪ two-year-old Thoroughbred colt was presented to the Equine Clinic, Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital for head trauma after rearing and falling backwards, hitting his head on the ground. Basilar skull fracture in a Thoroughbred colt: Radiography or computed tomography?Ĭhee Kin Lim Montague N.
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