MDCT Images of the Head of a Horse with Malignant Melanoma

Abstract

A 17-year-old, gray Thoroughbred gelding was presented with recurrent epistaxis following exercise for over one year. Multidetector-row computed tomographic (MDCT) examination of the head performed under general anesthesia indicated the presence of malignant melanoma. MDCT examination revealed the exact location and size of masses in the right guttural pouch first identified by endoscopy and in the left guttural pouch unidentified by endoscopy. MDCT examination revealed the presence of a blood clot that filled the right maxillary sinus. The horse was euthanized due to poor prognosis as a riding horse and the owner's decision, and MDCT findings were confirmed by postmortem examination. MDCT is suggested as a useful technique for diagnosis of head problems such as neoplasia and sinusitis which are typically difficult to detect by endoscopy.