A retrospective study of head fractures in 21 horses

Abstract

The clinical features of 21 horses which sustained head fractures are reviewed. There was a higher incidence of fractures in males and Standardbred horses. Surgical treatment was practical and successful in most cases when the fractures involved the bones of the jaws and the face. Fractures which involved the cranial cavity or the cranial nerves were difficult to treat and usually held a poor prognosis.

Use of Scintigraphy for Diagnosis of Equine Paranasal Sinus Disorders

“…Similarly, Weller et al 3 reported a case where maxillary fracture/sequestrum was detected by scintigraphy but not radiography. Radiographic changes associated with skull trauma are reportedly variable and several oblique projections may be required to demonstrate the bony injury 1,25,26 . Non‐displaced fractures are often particularly difficult to detect radiographically.…”

“…Radiographic changes associated with skull trauma are reportedly variable and several oblique projections may be required to demonstrate the bony injury. 1,25,26 Nondisplaced fractures are often particularly difficult to detect radiographically. Superimposition of soft tissue opacities or fluid lines within the sinuses because of hemorrhage and mucosal inflammation within the sinus may further obscure fracture lines.…”

External skeletal fixation in the management of equine mandibular fractures: 16 cases (1988–1998)

“…Repair of rostral mandibular fractures and long oblique fractures of the interdental space has been reported with cortical lag screw fixation (DeBowes et al 1981;DeBowes 1996). Use of dynamic compression plates (DCP) for fixation of fractures through the cheek teeth and spanning the interdental space has also been described (Murch 1980;Little et al 1985). Wallace (1971) described internal fixation with threaded intramedullary (IM) Steinmann pins.…”

Management of equine mandibular injuries

“…The mandible is quoted as the bone most frequently involved in equine head fractures (Moller and Dollar 1906; Little et al 1985). Fractures are usually traumatic e.g.…”