Sinoscopy, the paranasal sinus endoscopy, is a minimally invasive technique used to diagnose and treat sinus disease. The objective of this study was to determine triangulation portals sites from sinoscopy portals previously described and to compare rigid and flexible endoscope of small diameter in horses of different ages. Paranasal sinuses underwent three procedures in sequence: sinoscopy with rigid endoscope, sinoscopy with flexible endoscope and surgical approach to triangulation technique. Rigid endoscope presented higher image quality, although the amplitude of visualization was greater with flexible endoscope that yielded better mobility and proximity of the paranasal sinus anatomical structures. Through frontal sinus portals, the frontal and caudal maxillary sinuses were examined. The structures of maxillary caudal sinus, including the roots of the cheek teeth, were observed through the portal of caudal maxillary sinus. In some animals, the bigger root of the first upper molar teeth, mainly in young horses, made the exam of rostral sinus exam harder. Triangulation portals were determined in frontal and caudal maxillary sinus enabling surgical instrumentation access to anatomical structures. The results enabled the establishment of sinoscopy and triangulation portals to diagnosis and treatment of sinus disease in horses using either flexible or rigid endoscope.
sinoscopy; equine; triangulation technique
