OCULAR AND ORBITAL PORCUPINE QUILLS IN THE DOG - A REVIEW AND CASE SERIES

A retrospective evaluation of 5 cases of orbital or intraocular porcup ine quills in the dog and a literature review from MEDLINE (1983-1995) is presented. This paper reviews the diagnosis, therapy, and visual p rognosis of ocular and orbital quills in the dog. Distinguishing penet ration and perforation of the eye and intraocular structures is paramo unt in establishing a visual prognosis and appropriate therapy. Perfor ation of the cornea or sclera, lens, or the uvea and retina necessitat es prompt specialized surgical therapy to save vision, The diagnosis o f orbital quills can be readily confirmed with ultra-sonography, The c haracteristic sonographic appearance of a double-banded, linear, hyper echoic object allows accurate localization of the quill, which aids su rgical removal.