Squamous cell carcinoma of the paranasal sinuses in two horses

Abstract

Summary This case report describes the history, clinical findings, diagnostic imaging (including computed tomography), gross pathology and histopathology of 2 cases of squamous cell carcinoma in the paranasal sinuses. Radiography of the skull is a useful tool to detect a mass in the paranasal sinuses, but the position, extent and character of the lesion can be better visualised with computed tomography.

A review of equine mucocutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

“…Definitive diagnosis requires submission of affected skin/mucosa for histopathological examination in the form of a biopsy, although radiography and computed tomography may help differentiate paranasal sinus SCC from sinusitis (Kowalczyk et al . ). If possible, a biopsy should include both the neoplastic tissue and its interface with normal appearing skin ( Fig ).…”

Early diagnosis may hold the key to the successful treatment of nasal and paranasal sinus neoplasia in the horse

“…This finding is strongly indicative of neoplasia in man. Radiographs represent the next step in the diagnosis of sinonasal conditions; however, as highlighted in the accompanying article by Kowalczyk et al . (2011), such a 2‐dimensional representation of a complex 3D structure means that subtle changes associated with neoplastic processes may be overlooked.…”

“…This finding is strongly indicative of neoplasia in man. Radiographs represent the next step in the diagnosis of sinonasal conditions; however, as highlighted in the accompanying article by Kowalczyk et al (2011), such a 2-dimensional representation of a complex 3D structure means that subtle changes associated with neoplastic processes may be overlooked. Computed tomography (CT) overcomes many of the issues of plain radiography allowing good visualisation of internal 3D bony anatomy and giving the veterinary surgeon a clear indication of the extent of a lesion.…”

“…In horses, as in other species, early recognition is difficult because clinical signs are nonspecific. Treatment is, therefore, often not attempted due to the extensive nature of lesions at presentation and the limited surgical access. The accompanying article by Kowalczyk et al . (2011) showed how 3‐dimensional (3D) imaging can identify the hallmark changes associated with aggressive neoplasia in the equine sinuses (Kowalczyk et al .…”

Geriatric sinus tumours – is there hope for the future?

“…Looking at the different types of neoplasia reported in the literature, a veterinarian may become very pessimistic and find the decision to perform surgery in a geriatric patient difficult to justify. Multiple reports of paranasal sinus squamous cell carcinoma have revealed a dismal prognosis, with all horses subjected to euthanasia in reports by Dixon and Head (1999; n = 7) and Kowalcyzk et al . (2011; n = 2); in general, carcinomas are the same according to Dixon and Head (1999; n = 8), Dixon et al .…”