Editorial Type:
Article Category: Research Article
 | 
Online Publication Date: 01 Mar 2010

Multiple Skull Fractures in a Captive Fly River Turtle (Carretochelys insculpta): Diagnosis, Surgical Repair, and Medical Management

MS, DVM,
DVM, DABVP (Avian),
DVM, DACVS, and
MD, FACR
Page Range: 11 – 19
DOI: 10.5818/1529-9651-20.1.11
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ABSTRACT

An adult male Fly River turtle, Carretochelys insculpta, presented with dull mentation and a proptosed right eye due to severe head trauma. Injuries included rostral mandibular, left mandibular, left maxillary, and bilateral orbital fractures. The right orbital fracture was repaired immediately. Radiography and computed tomography (CT) were performed to evaluate the extent of the fractures. The left mandibular fracture was repaired with an external skeletal fixator. The rostral mandibular fracture was repaired with pins and a cerclage wire. The use of CT provided complete evaluation of the skull fractures, was a guide for surgical planning, and allowed for monitoring of fracture healing. The turtle returned to normal behavior 2 months after surgery. The fractures were either healed or almost healed 6.5 months after surgery.

Keywords: Carretochelys insculpta ; computed tomography; external skeletal fixator; Fly River turtle; mandibular fracture
Copyright: © 2010 The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians 2010
Figure 1.
Figure 1.

Radiograph image of oblique dorsoventral view of the skull showing left and rostral mandibular (black arrows) and orbital (white arrows) fractures 1 day after initial presentation. The turtle's head measures 6.2 cm at the widest area of the skull, and the length of the left mandible from rostral tip to caudal jaw is 5.6 cm.

Figure 2.
Figure 2.

Three-dimensional volume-rendered reconstruction computed tomography image of the left lateral skull showing comminuted left mandibular (black arrows), maxillary (open white arrow), and jugal/postorbital (white arrow) fractures 1 day after initial presentation.

Figure 3.
Figure 3.

Three-dimensional volume-rendered reconstruction computed tomography image of the skull showing right postorbital fractures 1 day after initial presentation (black arrows).

Figure 4.
Figure 4.

View of the external skeletal fixator supporting the left mandibular fracture.

Figure 5.
Figure 5.

One month post-operative image of left lateral skull showing left mandibular fracture with external skeletal fixator and pin hole seen caudally (white arrows).

Figure 6.
Figure 6.

One month post-operative three-dimensional volume-rendered reconstruction computed tomography image of ventrodorsal view of jaw showing rostral (open black arrow) and left mandibular (black arrow) fractures.

Figure 7.
Figure 7.

Six and a half month post-operative three-dimensional volume-rendered reconstruction computed tomography image of right lateral skull showing healed right postorbital fractures (black arrow).

Figure 8.
Figure 8.

Six and a half month post-operative three-dimensional volume-rendered reconstruction computed tomography image of left lateral skull showing healing mandibular (black arrows), maxillary (open black arrow), and jugal/postorbital (white arrow) fractures.

Figure 9.
Figure 9.

Six and a half month post-operative three-dimensional volume-rendered reconstruction computed tomography image of ventrodorsal view of skull showing healing left mandibular fracture (black arrows).

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