Ossifying Fibroma in the Nasal Cavity of a 2-Year-Old Horse.
Authors: Turek Bernard, Górski Kamil, Drewnowska Olga, Buczkowska Roma, Kozłowska Natalia, Sapierzyński Rafał
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Ossifying Fibroma in an Equine Nasal Cavity Ossifying fibromas are benign mesenchymal tumours rarely encountered in horses, yet when they do occur in the nasal cavity they can cause significant respiratory compromise and diagnostic challenges. A 2-year-old mare presented with breathing difficulties and external facial swelling; imaging revealed a substantial 22 × 9 × 5 cm heterogeneous mass occupying the left nasal cavity, intimately associated with a displaced and hypoplastic maxillary premolar and the conchal structures. Surgical management required a staged approach under standing sedation: extra-oral tooth extraction via maxillary trephination and repulsion, followed by osteotomy of the nasal bone to access and bluntly dissect the mass from surrounding tissues, with successful removal via the nostril using Fergusson forceps. Complete clinical recovery occurred within seven months without recurrence at two-year follow-up, demonstrating that even large intranasal lesions can be managed successfully with multimodal surgical intervention. For practitioners, this case highlights the importance of advanced imaging (particularly CT) in characterising seemingly simple nasal masses, the association between displaced teeth and mesenchymal pathology, and the feasibility of standing surgical approaches for complex intranasal procedures—though such cases should typically be referred to experienced equine surgical facilities.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Ossifying fibroma should be included in differential diagnoses for young horses with unilateral nasal masses and breathing difficulties; CT imaging is essential for surgical planning
- •Combined surgical approaches (extra-oral tooth extraction plus direct osteotomy) may be necessary for complete removal of large nasal masses attached to multiple structures
- •Standing surgery with appropriate bone access can be successful for treating rostral nasal pathology in horses, with good long-term outcomes when histologically confirmed benign lesions are completely excised
Key Findings
- •A 2-year-old mare presented with a 22 × 9 × 5 cm ossifying fibroma in the left nasal cavity causing respiratory obstruction
- •The mass was attached to displaced tooth roots and nasal conchae, requiring both extra-oral tooth extraction and direct osteotomy approach for complete removal
- •Complete recovery occurred within seven months with no recurrence documented over two years post-surgery