Parietal cerebral defect after skull fracture as a cause of posttraumatic epilepsy in an Icelandic horse

Parietaler cerebraler Defekt nach Schädelfraktur als Ursache für eine posttraumatische Epilepsie bei einem Isländerwallach

Müller J-M V, Hellige M, Hoffmann M V, Uhlendorf F, Steinmetz S, Feige K

DOI: 10.21836/PEM20110317
Year: 2011
Volume: 27
Issue: 3
Pages: 306-310

A 7 year old Icelandic gelding presented with a history of recurring complex partial seizures. Based on history, clinical signs and diagnostic imaging results (ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) the diagnosis of a cerebral haemorrhagic defect of the right parietal lobe due to an impression fracture of the right parietal bone was made. This lesion most probably resulted in posttraumatic epilepsy which was treated with the anticonvulsant Phenobarbital in order to reduce further seizure periodes. Traumatic brain injury increases the risk of epileptogenesis in humans and several animal species severely. This is the first report of late phase posttraumatic epilepsy in the horse. MRI was a superior tool in comparison to computed tomography to visualize the cerebral defect in this horse.