Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Eustachian tube diverticulum chondroids and neck abscessation in a case of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi.
- Journal:
- Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
- Year:
- 2007
- Authors:
- Furniss, C et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 12-year-old grey crossbred pony mare had a painful swelling in her neck, which was stiff and tender when touched. X-rays and ultrasound showed a large area of infection near her second cervical vertebra, leading to the discovery of an abscess filled with pus. After draining the abscess, tests confirmed it was caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. The pony also had several growths called chondroids in her Eustachian tubes, which were surgically removed, and she received antibiotic treatment to clear the infection. The treatment was successful in eliminating the infection and the carrier status of the bacteria.
Abstract
A 12-year-old, grey, crossbred pony mare was presented with a swelling in the neck over the area of the 2nd cervical vertebra (C2), which was found to be painful on palpation. The neck was held stiffly. Radiography of the cervical region showed a focal area of increased radio-opacity over the dorsal, caudal and lateral aspect of the dorsal spinous process of C2. Ultrasound confirmed the presence of a hypoechoic area approximately 15 cm in diameter superimposed over the dorsal spinous process of C2. An aspirate was taken of the mass, which revealed purulent exudate confirming the diagnosis of an abscess. The abscess was lanced with a scalpel blade and samples of the purulent material revealed a pure culture of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. The guttural pouches (Eustachian tube diverticulae (ETD)) were then evaluated endoscopically and multiple chondroids were seen filling most of the right ETD. Surgery was subsequently performed and 189 chondroids were removed via a right-sided hyovertebrotomy. The ETDs were flushed and penicillin installed into both ETDs on 3 different occasions via a catheter introduced using a fibre optic scope. This procedure was repeated until a negative culture status was achieved in order to eliminate the carrier status.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18237042/