SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF PROGRESSIVE ETHMOIDAL HEMATOMA AIDED BY COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY IN A FOAL

A progressive ethmoidal hematoma (PEH) was treated successfully in a 4 -week-old Belgian filly by surgical removal, using a frontonasal bone flap. The filly had respiratory strider, epistaxis, and facial enlarge ment over the left paranasal sinuses, which had progressively increase d in size since birth. Computed tomographic images of the head obtaine d with the foal under general anesthesia were useful in determining th e extent and nature of the soft-tissue mass and planning surgical inte rvention. On the basis of the histologic appearance of the mass, a dia gnosis of PEH was made. Twelve months after surgery, the facial appear ance was normal and the abnormal appearance of the ethmoid region on e ndoscopic evaluation was less obvious, with return of the nasal septum to a normal position. Progressive ethmoidal hematoma is uncommon and, to our knowledge, has not been reported in a neonate. Clinical signs of PEH in this foal were atypical because of the rapid enlargement of the mass, extent of facial deformity, and minimal epistaxis and inter- operative hemorrhage.