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17 December 2020 Self-limiting Orbital Emphysema Following Ocular Evisceration and Demonstration of Nasolacrimal-Oropharyngeal Communication in a South African Ostrich (Struthio camelus australis)
Callie M. Rogers, Alice Blue-McLendon, Erin M. Scott, Lucien V. Vallone
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

A 25-year-old, male, sanctuary-owned, South African ostrich (Struthio camelus australis) was evaluated for orbital emphysema after evisceration of a nonvisual and chronically irritated eye. On initial ophthalmic examination, the ostrich's left eye displayed severe corneal fibrosis, broad anterior synechia, and a shallow anterior chamber, all suggestive of a previous corneal perforation. Conjunctival hyperemia and eyelid crusts were also present, reportedly associated with chronic rubbing. Evisceration of the left eye was performed by excising the eyelid margins, conjunctiva, nictitans, cornea, and intraocular contents. Four weeks postoperatively, a nonpainful, fluctuant swelling of the surgical site was noted. Trocarization of the surgical site verified orbital emphysema and served to temporarily decompress the orbit. Orbital emphysema reoccurred within 48 hours but gradually regressed without intervention over the subsequent 9 months. A Jones test was performed in the healthy, right eye and demonstrated clear communication to the oropharynx. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an evisceration performed on an ostrich and the first reported case of orbital emphysema in any avian species. It is probable that the emphysema noted in this case was secondary to nasolacrimal duct-oropharynx communication.

© 2020 by the Association of Avian Veterinarians
Callie M. Rogers, Alice Blue-McLendon, Erin M. Scott, and Lucien V. Vallone "Self-limiting Orbital Emphysema Following Ocular Evisceration and Demonstration of Nasolacrimal-Oropharyngeal Communication in a South African Ostrich (Struthio camelus australis)," Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery 34(4), 396-401, (17 December 2020). https://doi.org/10.1647/1082-6742-34.4.396
Published: 17 December 2020
KEYWORDS
Avian
Jones test
ocular evisceration
orbital emphysema
orbital pneumatocele
orbital pneumatosis
ostrich
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