Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Paralaryngeal abscess with laryngeal hemiplegia and fistulation in a horse.
- Journal:
- The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
- Year:
- 1981
- Authors:
- Barber, S M
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A three-year-old Thoroughbred filly was brought in for a check-up because she had a runny nose on both sides and swelling on the left side of her throat. A closer look with a camera showed that part of her throat was enlarged and not working properly, and there was pus draining into her airway. X-rays revealed a large pocket of fluid and gas near her throat and windpipe. The veterinarians performed surgery to drain the abscess and clean the area, which allowed her to heal well over time. However, they also did a procedure to help with her throat issue, but unfortunately, they warned that her breathing might not fully recover due to significant scarring in her throat.
Abstract
A three year old Thoroughbred filly was examined because of bilateral nasal discharge and external swelling of the left laryngeal area. Endoscopy revealed an enlarged left arytenoid cartilage, left laryngeal hemiplegia and drainage of purulent material into the lumen of the larynx. Radiographs showed a large fluid and gas filled cavity overlying the caudal larynx and cranial trachea. Surgical drainage and debridement of the abscess led to complete healing by secondary intention. Laryngeal ventriculectomy was performed as a treatment for left laryngeal hemiplegia, but a grave prognosis for respiratory soundness was given due to the extensive laryngeal fibrosis. The etiology of the Staphylococcus aureus abscess is unknown but may have originated from oral trauma to the larynx.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7337917/