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Computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging of a coup contrecoup traumatic brain injury in a horse

Morgan, RE; Dunkel, B; Spiro, S; Beltran, E

Authors

RE Morgan

B Dunkel

S Spiro

E Beltran



Abstract

A 3-year-old Thoroughbred mare found recumbent in the field was referred for further assessment with suspicion of a skull fracture. Neurological examination identified compulsive tight circling to the left, and hypermetria in all four limbs. The mare was obtunded, with a mild head tilt to the right, absent menace response of the right eye and decreased facial sensation on the right. Standing computed tomographic examination revealed a subtle depression fracture of the dorsal calvarium and moderate intra-axial midline shift consistent with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Despite supportive treatment, the mare deteriorated and was subjected to euthanasia. Post-mortem high field magnetic resonance imaging revealed findings consistent with a small cerebral contusion adjacent to the fracture site, and moderate to severe ipsilateral cerebral oedema within the caudal cerebrum and rostral brainstem, consistent with a coup contrecoup TBI. Brainstem lesions indicate a poor prognosis and support the decision for euthanasia. This is the first report of the imaging findings of a coup contrecoup TBI in a horse.

Citation

Morgan, R., Dunkel, B., Spiro, S., & Beltran, E. (2022). Computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging of a coup contrecoup traumatic brain injury in a horse. Equine Veterinary Education, https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.13441

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 2, 2020
Online Publication Date Feb 19, 2021
Publication Date Mar 5, 2022
Deposit Date Mar 7, 2022
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Print ISSN 0957-7734
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.13441
Keywords horse; trauma; head; coup; contrecoup
Public URL https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1553028

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