Abstract
SummaryA 5‐year‐old Thoroughbred gelding with recent history of head trauma presented with multiple facial swellings, bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge, neck pain, inappetence and depression. On computed tomographic examination, lesions within the pituitary fossa and structures adjacent to the right guttural pouch were identified. Soft tissue swelling was seen in the dorsal aspect of the right guttural pouch surrounding several cranial nerves, with fluid‐like material in the dependent portions of the right guttural pouch. A CSF sample revealed mild mixed pleocytosis and increased protein concentration. The horse had concurrent periapical disease of the 209‐cheek tooth and mild left sinusitis. The horse's demeanour deteriorated requiring euthanasia. Post‐mortem examination revealed a pituitary gland abscess.
Highlights
Soft tissue thickening was present in the dorsal aspect of the medial compartment of the right guttural pouch between the basisphenoid and the tympanic bulla; the swelling was in close relationship with the jugular foramen and cranial nerves IX, X and XI
Culture of the abscess within the lateral right guttural pouch revealed a moderate growth of Coliform species from direct culture, and Staphylococcus aureus and Bacteroides spp from enrichment culture
The pituitary mass was considered in this case, the limiting factor for the horse’s recovery
Summary
There was thickening of the soft tissue of the lateral wall of the lateral compartment of the right guttural pouch; most severe at the dorsal aspect. Soft tissue thickening was present in the dorsal aspect of the medial compartment of the right guttural pouch between the basisphenoid and the tympanic bulla; the swelling was in close relationship with the jugular foramen and cranial nerves IX, X and XI (glossopharyngeal, vagus and accessory, respectively; Figure 1).
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