Online Lecture - Facial Suture Line Periostitis – Causes, Sequelae & Treatment (Recorded November 2022)

CONTENT DESCRIPTION

The facial bone suture lines, especially the naso-frontal and the lacrimal bone suture lines are very interesting fibrous joints between these flat bones. They facilitate intra-membranous bone growth in the young and remain open in many species, including horses in maturity (unlike the cranial bone sutures that close once full bone growth is achieved). The facial sutures serve as shock-absorbers for the head region and can dissipate masticatory and external forces, including to protect the brain and orbit. Trauma to the head region (including from surgery) can destabilise and thus induce a proliferative reaction in the sutures to re-stabilise the affected joint(s). Most associated facial swellings later spontaneously resolve. A minority of cases, especially those with open wounds to the sutures develop infections and possibly sequestration of the margins of the adjacent bones that need treatment.