Comparison of image quality and in vivo appearance of the normal equine nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses in computed tomography and high field (3.0 T) magnetic resonance imaging.
Authors: Kaminsky Joachim, Bienert-Zeit Astrid, Hellige Maren, Rohn Karl, Ohnesorge Bernhard
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary Whilst computed tomography remains the diagnostic standard for equine sinonasal pathology, high-field 3 Tesla MRI is increasingly available in equine practice and offers superior soft-tissue contrast—yet direct comparison data between these modalities was lacking. Researchers scanned the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses of 13 clinically normal horses using both CT and 3 Tesla MRI to establish baseline image quality and anatomical visualisation across both techniques. CT provided excellent bone detail and clear delineation of bony sinus compartments, whereas MRI excelled at depicting soft-tissue structures including the nasal mucosa, turbinate architecture, and any fluid or inflammatory changes within sinus cavities. The findings suggest that whilst CT remains superior for evaluating cortical bone lesions and fractures, MRI's enhanced tissue contrast makes it particularly valuable for detecting early mucosal disease, sinusitis, and soft-tissue masses that might be missed on CT alone. For practitioners managing chronic sinusitis, nasal discharge, or suspected soft-tissue pathology, understanding these complementary strengths enables more strategic imaging choices—either as standalone investigations depending on the clinical presentation, or as complementary modalities for complex cases.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •CT should remain your first-line imaging choice when investigating suspected sinunasal disease involving bone pathology such as fractures, cysts, or tumors
- •Consider high-field MRI as a complementary tool if soft tissue involvement (mucosal inflammation, early abscess formation) is suspected but CT appears normal
- •Knowledge of both modalities' strengths helps you select appropriate imaging and interpret findings more confidently in clinical cases
Key Findings
- •CT provides superior bone detail and is better for detecting subtle osseous lesions in nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses
- •3.0 Tesla MRI demonstrates superior soft tissue contrast and may detect early inflammatory or mucosal changes not visible on CT
- •Both modalities effectively visualize normal equine nasal and paranasal anatomy with different diagnostic advantages
- •MRI is increasingly feasible for equine sinunasal imaging but CT remains the established standard for detailed bony anatomy assessment