Summary A 2‐year‐old Miniature Shetland Pony gelding was presented with a 4‐month history of nasal stridor and nasal discharge. Computed tomography revealed a large, air‐filled deformation of the left paranasal sinuses with thinning and upward displacement of the frontal bone, deviation of the nasal septum and complete obstruction of the left nasal meatus. A diagnosis of sinus pneumocele was made based on the accumulation of air and secondary bone atrophy. Surgical decompression was performed via a left‐sided conchofrontal bone flap, allowing resection of the distended conchal walls and creation of a new sinunasal communication. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and respiratory function normalised immediately after surgery. Endoscopic follow‐up examinations confirmed progressive mucosal healing and near‐complete bony reconstruction of the frontal defect within 4 months. Three years postoperatively, the pony remains clinically sound and is used successfully for competitive driving. This is the first report describing surgical treatment and long‐term outcome of a sinus pneumocele in a Miniature Shetland Pony. The excellent functional and cosmetic results emphasise the importance of an immediate surgical intervention and careful selection of the surgical approach for this rare condition.
Grages et al. (Thu,) studied this question.