Comminuted basilar skull fracture in a colt: Use of computed tomography to aid the diagnosis

Abstract

Summary The case of a one‐year‐old colt with acute onset of neurological dysfunction and epistaxis after a traumatic event is presented. After initiating emergency treatment, the colt was anaesthetised for diagnostic imaging. Radiographic examination of the head was suggestive of soft tissue opacity in the area of the guttural pouches, but was inconclusive about osseous involvement. A computed tomography (CT) scan, used to obtain further details, showed a comminuted basilar skull fracture with 2 displaced fragments that were not detected by radiography. Because of the poor prognosis for survival and return to athletic function, the horse was subjected to euthanasia. CT imaging provided the most useful diagnostic information about type, localisation, extension and severity of the basilar skull fracture.

Computed tomography in the investigation of trauma to the ventral cranium

“…In the case presented by Beccati et al . (2011), the authors were uncertain of the presence of a fracture based on their survey radiographs.…”

“…As described by Beccati et al . (2011), CT can be critical in the precise diagnosis of fractures in cases of head trauma and, in addition, provides additional information regarding soft tissue trauma which may not be apparent on endoscopy and plain radiography.…”

“…In the case described by Beccati et al . (2011), the colt was anaesthetised because it was recumbent and had been seizuring thus CT was performed under general anaesthesia.…”

“…As described by Beccati et al . (2011), the open suture between the basisphenoid bone and basioccipital bone in young horses can mimic a fracture ( and ).…”

“…The Case Report discussed in this commentary (Beccati et al . 2011) described a colt with a comminuted basilar skull fracture diagnosed using computed tomography (CT), the fracture having not been evident on survey radiography.…”