Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Calcification associated with the nasolacrimal system of a horse: case report and mineralogic composition.
- Journal:
- Veterinary ophthalmology
- Year:
- 2006
- Authors:
- Cassotis, Nicholas J & Schiffman, Peter
- Affiliation:
- Michigan State University · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 12-year-old Paso Fino mare was having ongoing problems with discharge from her nose and eyes. During a check-up, a hard mass was found that was pushing through the lining of her nose. The veterinarians thought it might be a type of stone related to her tear ducts, and after removing it, they sent it for analysis. The results showed that the mass was mostly made of a mineral called carbonate hydroxylapatite, with a small amount of salt. This case is notable because such stones in the tear duct system are rare in horses, and this is the first documented case of its kind.
Abstract
A 12-year-old Paso Fino mare was evaluated for a chronic nasal and ocular discharge. A calcification was identified eroding through the nasal mucosa of the middle meatus. Differential considerations for this mass included dacryolith, nasal calculus, or calcified tooth root abscess. Anatomical location and case history and progression supported a dacryolith. Following removal, the calculus was submitted for mineralogic analysis. The calculus was primarily carbonate hydroxylapatite (Ca10(PO4)3(CO3)3(OH)2) with a minor NaCl halite constituent. Dacryoliths, or nasolacrimal calculi, are an uncommon occurrence in animals, and sparsely reported in humans. The etiopathogenesis of dacryolith formation is unknown. The objective of this article was to report the first case report of an equine nasolacrimal system dacryolith and its mineralogic composition.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16634933/