Endoscopy in horses refers to a diagnostic procedure that involves the use of an endoscope, a flexible tube equipped with a camera and light, to visually examine the interior surfaces of equine organs and tissues. This technique is commonly employed to investigate conditions affecting the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and other internal structures. Endoscopy allows for direct visualization and assessment of abnormalities such as lesions, obstructions, or inflammation. It can also be used to obtain biopsies or remove foreign bodies. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the applications, methodologies, and clinical relevance of endoscopy in equine medicine.
Priest DT, Cheetham J, Regner AL, Mitchell L, Soderholm LV, Tamzali Y, Ducharme NG.Examination of the equine upper airway during racing has not previously been documented. Objective: To describe the feasibility and appearance of the upper airways by overground respiratory endoscopic examination during racing conditions. Methods: Overground videoendoscopic examinations were performed on 46 Standardbred racehorses during qualifying races. Examined horses' speeds were recorded throughout the race with a portable GPS device. Results: The procedure did not interfere with performance as there were no significant differences in race times between races in which horses were examined...
Norman TE, Chaffin MK, Bisset WT, Thompson JA.To characterize the associations between clinical signs of nasopharyngeal cicatrix syndrome (NCS) and endoscopic findings in horses. Methods: Retrospective, case-control study. Methods: 239 horses (118 case horses and 121 control horses). Methods: Medical records of horses that had an endoscopic evaluation of the upper airway performed between January 2003 and December 2008 were reviewed. Clinical signs and the appearance and anatomic locations of lesions identified during endoscopic evaluation were reviewed and recorded for each horse. The associations between clinical signs and endoscopic fi...
Nieto JE, Aleman M, Anderson JD, Fiack C, Snyder JR.To assess gene expressions of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in oral, glandular gastric, and urinary bladder mucosae and determine the effect of oral administration of phenylbutazone on those gene expressions in horses. Methods: 12 healthy horses. Methods: Horses were allocated to receive phenylbutazone or placebo (6 horses/group); 1 placebo-treated horse with a cystic calculus was subsequently removed from the study, and those data were not analyzed. In each horse, the stomach and urinary bladder were evaluated for ulceration via endoscopy before and after experimental treatment. Oral, glandular gas...
Strand E, Fjordbakk CT, Sundberg K, Spangen L, Lunde H, Hanche-Olsen S.Two genetically and phenotypically distinct horse breeds are used for harness racing in Scandinavia: the Standardbred (SB) and Coldblooded Trotter. These racehorses have identical environmental, management and racing conditions. Therefore, this study was undertaken to identify and compare the relative prevalence of upper respiratory tract (URT) obstructive disorders in these 2 breeds. Objective: To determine whether these 2 phenotypically different breeds of harness racehorses have different predispositions for URT disorders. Methods: Retrospective study of 88 Norwegian Coldblooded Trotters (N...
Van Erck E.Dynamic upper airway obstruction (UAO) is a cause of respiratory noise and sometimes poor performance in sport horses. Riding, head flexion and airway inflammation may impact upper respiratory tract stability during exercise. Objective: To evaluate upper airway mechanical behaviour in ridden sport horses using overground endoscopy and the effect of head flexion, rider intervention and underlying airway inflammation on the pharynx and larynx. Methods: Resting and exercising videoendoscopic recordings during ridden exercise were obtained in 129 sport horses referred mainly for respiratory noise,...
Tilley P, Sales Luis JP, Branco Ferreira M.As recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is progressive and as medical history is frequently unknown by owners, it's important to suggest a score model to characterize RAO stages for a more accurate diagnosis and treatment. The authors correlated clinical (CS), endoscopic (ES), thoracic X-ray (XRS) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALFS) scores in horses with RAO, in an attempt to establish relevance of each factor's contribution for the characterization of RAO stages and to suggest a staging method. Thirty horses with RAO and ten healthy controls were studied. Pearson correlation coefficients w...
Pader K, Lescun TB, Freeman LJ.To develop and assess the feasibility of standing transvaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES®) ovariectomy in the mare. Methods: Descriptive study. Methods: Mares (n=10). Methods: The technique was developed in 6 mares and then evaluated in a short-term study in 4 mares. Abdominal access was developed using controlled access vaginal cannula placement under endoscopic guidance. With viewing provided by a flexible endoscope, hemostasis, and transection of ovarian pedicles was performed using a customized bipolar vessel-sealing device. The ovaries were retrieved and the ...
Derksen F, Williams K, Stack A.While airway endoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage are the methodsof choice for diagnosing exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), these techniques do not allow accurate evaluation of the severity of bleeding. EIPH pathology is characterized by occlusive remodeling of pulmonary veins. Affected veins have large collagen deposits in their walls, which reduces their lumens. In the caudodorsal regions, pulmonary vein wall remodeling is associated with hemosiderin accumulation, bronchial circulation angiogenesis, and fibrosis of the alveolar interstitium, bronchovascular bundle, septa, and ple...
Smith MR, Wright IM.Diagnostic navicular bursoscopy has been described in limited cases. Review of greater numbers is needed to define its contribution to case management and prognostic values. Objective: To report: 1) clinical, diagnostic and endoscopic findings in a series of cases, 2) surgical techniques and case outcomes and 3) prognostic values. The authors hypothesise: 1) lameness localising to the navicular bursa is commonly associated with dorsal border deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) lesions, 2) endoscopy allows extent of injuries to be assessed and treated, 3) case outcome relates to severity of DDFT ...
Dixon PM, Parkin TD, Collins N, Hawkes C, Townsend N, Tremaine WH, Fisher G, Ealey R, Barakzai SZ.There is a lack of objective information on the value of ancillary diagnostic techniques used to investigate equine sinus disease, and also on which sinus compartments are commonly affected in this disorder. Objective: To record the ancillary diagnostic findings used to investigate equine sinus disease and to document which compartments are affected. Methods: The clinical case records of 200 consecutive cases of sinus disease, including subacute (2 months' duration) primary (n = 37); dental (n = 40); traumatic (n = 13); sinus cyst (n = 26); sinus neoplasia (n = 10); dental related oromaxillary...
Ohba T, Ebata S, Ando T, Ichikawa J, Clinton D, Haro H.Hematoma of the ligamentum flavum is a rare cause of neural compression, for which treatment has consisted of excising the hematoma via open surgical approaches, including total laminectomy or bilateral partial laminectomy. This article presents the first report of a microscope-assisted endoscopic decompression to resect a hematoma of the ligamentum flavum.A 52-year-old man presented with back and leg pain, as well as difficulty initiating micturation. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an epidural mass at L5/S1 that was continuous with the facet joint. Visualization was obtained via an e...
Prange T, Carr EA, Stick JA, Garcia-Pereira FL, Patterson JS, Derksen FJ.A 3-year-old Thoroughbred gelding presented with a history of neurological signs, including incoordination in his hindlimbs, of about 7 months' duration. On initial examination, the horse exhibited ataxia and paresis in all limbs with more severe deficits in the hindlimbs. Cervical radiographs displayed severe osteoarthritis of the articular processes between C5 and C6. On subsequent cervical myelography the dorsal contrast column was reduced by 90% at the level of the intervertebral space between C5 and C6. Cervical vertebral canal endoscopy, including epidural (epiduroscopy) and subarachnoid...
Aitken MR, Parente EJ.To identify history, clinical signs, endoscopic findings, treatment, and outcome of mature (> 8 years old) nonracehorses with epiglottic abnormalities. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 23 horses with an epiglottic abnormality. Methods: Medical records of horses examined between 1990 and 2009 because of an epiglottic abnormality were reviewed to obtain information on signalment, history, clinical signs, clinical examination findings, upper airway endoscopic findings, diagnosis, surgical procedure, clinical management, postoperative care, and outcome. Results: Mean ± SD age was 16 Â...
Cardwell JM, Christley RM, Gerber V, Malikides N, Wood JL, Newton JR, Hodgson JL.The term 'inflammatory airway disease' (IAD) is often used to describe the syndrome of lower airway inflammation that frequently affects young racehorses in training around the world. In practice, this inflammation is generally diagnosed using a combination of endoscopic tracheal examination, including grading of amounts of mucus present and tracheal wash sampling. However, a recent consensus statement from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine concluded that bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) sampling, rather than tracheal wash (TW) sampling, is required for cytological diagnosis of ...
Minshall GJ, Wright IM.To describe the presentation, clinical, ultrasonographic and endoscopic features associated with a defect in the tarsal sheath wall, to define the cavity created and to describe a method of treatment. Objective: So called 'false thoroughpins' can be caused by defects in the tarsal sheath wall creating a one way valve effect, removal of which could be therapeutic. Methods: Case records and diagnostic images of horses with synoviocoeles associated with the tarsal sheath were reviewed retrospectively and follow-up information obtained. Results: Synoviocoeles were diagnosed in 15 horses. All were ...
De Graaf-Roelfsema E, Keizer HA, Wijnberg ID, Van Der Kolk JH.Gastric ulceration can be caused by different pathophysiological mechanisms including dietary factors, psychological stress and exercise. Overtraining is a medical syndrome in performance horses associated with altered hormone levels, altered feed intake, altered behaviour and decreased performance. These components might lead to a higher incidence of gastric ulceration in overtrained horses. Objective: To investigate whether the incidence of gastric ulceration is increased in overtrained compared to control horses. Methods: A longitudinal training study with twelve 1.5 years old Standardbred ...
Allen KJ, Franklin SH.Overground endoscopy is being performed with increasing frequency in the UK. A previous study has shown that the type of exercise test may affect the diagnosis of upper respiratory tract (URT) obstructions. The successful clinical application of overground endoscopy systems requires understanding of appropriate field exercise testing protocols. Objective: The aim of this study was to report the exercise test parameters used during overground endoscopy in UK Thoroughbred racehorses and to investigate potential effects of these on the diagnosis of URT obstructions. Methods: The exercise test par...
Spadari A, Spinella G, Grandis A, Romagnoli N, Pietra M.No endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct has been described before. In contrast with other imaging techniques, endoscopy provides a direct inspection of the intralumen and ductal mucosa in standing sedation. Objective: To provide a reference against which the endoscopic and clinical features of obstructive nasolacrimal disease in the horse may be compared. Methods: Endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct was performed in 10 French Thoroughbred bay mares with a 3 mm shaft diameter flexible fibrescope. The duct was divided into 3 zones (1, 2 and 3) from the nostril to the lacri...
Ramzan PH, Dallas RS, Palmer L.To evaluate a technique for oral extraction of fractured cheek teeth (CT) under oral endoscopic guidance. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n = 30) with fractured CT. Methods: Medical records (April 2007-August 2010) of horses that had standing oral extraction of fractured CT under endoscopic guidance were reviewed. Results: Thirty horses (median age, 11.5 years; range, 5-23 years) had 31 fractured CT (21 maxillary, 10 mandibular) removed. Midline sagittal fractures of maxillary teeth (n = 13; 42%) were the most common type, followed by buccal or palatal (10; 32%), and transverse or multi...
Prange T, Derksen FJ, Stick JA, Garcia-Pereira FL, Carr EA.Despite modern medical diagnostic imaging, it is not possible to identify reliably the exact location of spinal cord compression in horses with cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM). Vertebral canal endoscopy has been successfully used in man and a technique for cervical vertebral canal endoscopy (CVCE) has been described in equine cadavers. Objective: To determine the feasibility and safety of CVCE in healthy mature horses. Methods: Six healthy mature horses were anaesthetised. A flexible videoendoscope was subsequently introduced via the atlanto-occipital space into the epidural spac...
Wålinder R, Riihimäki M, Bohlin S, Hogstedt C, Nordquist T, Raine A, Pringle J, Elfman L.To examine the effects of installing a mechanical ventilation system at a riding-school stable on indoor air quality and human and horse airways. Methods: The intervention was the installation of mechanical ventilation in a riding-school stable. Carbon dioxide (CO2), ammonia, particles, horse allergen, microorganisms and endotoxins were measured in the stable. The stable-workers and riding-students completed a questionnaire and underwent the following tests: analysis of nasal lavage for inflammation biomarkers; levels of exhaled nitrogen oxide (NO); measurements of daily peak-expiratory flow (...
Witte SH, Witte TH, Harriss F, Kelly G, Pollock P.To determine the association between owner-reported noise and findings during dynamic respiratory endoscopy (DRE) in a large case series. Objective: The sensitivity of owner-reported noise for dynamic upper respiratory tract obstructions in horses is low, and the specificity is high. Methods: One hundred horses underwent DRE for the investigation of abnormal respiratory noise and/or poor performance. The association of abnormal noise with findings during DRE was evaluated. Results: Eighty-five horses underwent DRE for the investigation of abnormal respiratory noise. Of these, 82% were found to...
Davidson EJ, Martin BB, Boston RC, Parente EJ.Although well documented in racehorses, there is paucity in the literature regarding the prevalence of dynamic upper airway abnormalities in nonracing performance horses. Objective: To describe upper airway function of nonracing performance horses with abnormal respiratory noise and/or poor performance via exercising upper airway videoendoscopy. Methods: Medical records of nonracing performance horses admitted for exercising evaluation with a chief complaint of abnormal respiratory noise and/or poor performance were reviewed. All horses had video recordings of resting and exercising upper airw...
Barakzai SZ, Dixon PM.To correlate resting and exercising endoscopic grades of laryngeal function in horses undergoing high-speed treadmill endoscopy (HSTE) using the Havemeyer grading system. To correlate dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) seen at rest with palatal function during exercise. Methods: Records of horses that underwent HSTE examination (1999-2009) were reviewed. Resting laryngeal function score and other abnormalities noted on resting endoscopy were recorded as were results of HSTE. Results of resting and exercising endoscopic findings were correlated. Results: 281 horses underwent HSTE. Th...
Cehak A, Rohn K, Barton AK, Stadler P, Ohnesorge B.Dynamic nasopharyngeal collapse with upper airway obstruction is an important cause of exercise intolerance in performance horses. Its underlying pathophysiology is not fully understood. We hypothesize that head position affects pharyngeal diameter, and thus head position may be a contributing factor to nasopharyngeal obstruction. Fifteen adult healthy horses were subjected to endoscopy and radiography at rest. The pharyngeal diameter was measured at nine different head and neck positions. The effect of sedation and breathing cycle on the pharyngeal diameter was determined, and the relationshi...
Garrett KS, Woodie JB, Embertson RM.Assessment of arytenoid movement has traditionally been performed using upper airway (UA) endoscopy. However, recent work suggests that laryngeal ultrasonography may provide additional complementary information. Objective: To determine the value of laryngeal ultrasonography for the diagnosis of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy in the horse. Objective: Horses with abnormal arytenoid movement (AM) during treadmill UA endoscopy would have increased echogenicity of the left cricoarytenoideus lateralis muscle (CALM) and smaller left CALM and vocalis size while horses with normal AM during treadmill U...
Sasaki N, Yamada H.To evaluate the visibility of various portions of the small intestine in healthy horses using capsule endoscopy. Methods: Six healthy, conscious adult Thoroughbreds were restrained and an endoscopic capsule (PillCam SB capsule) was inserted into the oesophagus using an intranasal catheter aided by a guide wire. Water (500 mL) flushed the capsule down the gastrointestinal tract. Data were collected and stored in the recorder of the endoscopic system for 6 hours after capsule insertion and the images were evaluated using an image reader and scored using a visual analogue scale. Results: Capsule ...
Cehak A, von Borstel M, Gehlen H, Feige K, Ohnesorge B.Twelve horses with a history of a unilateral malodorous nasal discharge were examined clinically, endoscopically and radiographically. The head of one of the horses was examined by computed tomography. Tissue samples were taken for microbiology from four of the horses and for histology from three. The conchal necrosis was unilateral in 11 of the horses and bilateral in the other, and no particular concha was affected more than the others. The affected tissue was removed transendoscopically with a polypectomy snare while the horses were sedated and standing. Mild disinfectants were used locally...
François I, Lepage OM, Carpenter E, Desjardins I, De Guio C, Benedetti IC, Maddens S, Saulnier N, Grant BD.To determine the feasibility of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell (UC-MSC) transplantation into the cervical spinal cord of horses by using fluoroscopy with or without endoscopic guidance and to evaluate the neurological signs and tissue reaction after injection. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Eight healthy adult horses with no clinical signs of neurological disease. Methods: After cervical ventral interbody fusion (CVIF), ten million fluorescently labeled allogeneic UC-MSC were injected into the spinal cord under endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance (n = 5) or fluoroscopic...
Barnett TP, O'Leary JM, Parkin TD, Dixon PM, Barakzai SZ.To investigate upper respiratory tract function in horses, previously undergoing laryngoplasty (LP), using exercising video-endoscopy. Objective: To evaluate arytenoid abduction and stability, diagnose any concurrent upper airway problems, and correlate these with the owners' perception of success. Methods: Horses undergoing LP during a 6-year period at one hospital were initially included. Those available for re-examination were exercised for a duration and intensity considered maximal for their discipline using an over-ground endoscope. Resting and exercising laryngeal and pharyngeal videos ...
Holcombe SJ, Cornelisse CJ, Berney C, Robinson NE.To determine whether the hyoepiglotticus muscle has respiratory-related electromyographic activity and whether electrical stimulation of this muscle changes the position and conformation of the epiglottis, thereby altering dimensions of the aditus laryngis. Methods: 6 Standardbred horses. Methods: Horses were anesthetized, and a bipolar fine-wire electrode was placed in the hyoepiglotticus muscle of each horse. Endoscopic images of the nasopharynx and larynx were recorded during electrical stimulation of the hyoepiglotticus muscle in standing, unsedated horses. Dorsoventral length and area of ...
Hassel DM, Schott HC, Tucker RL, Hines MT.Endoscopic examination of the auditory tube diverticula was a diagnostic aid in the evaluation of 4 horses with otitis media/interna and associated osseous changes of the stylohyoid and petrous temporal. One of the horses was examined because of persistent head shaking; the other 3 were examined because of an acute onset of facial and vestibulocochlear nerve dysfunction. Proliferative lesions involving the petrous temporal bone and proximal portion of the stylohyoid bone were identified endoscopically in all 4 horses. Endoscopy is a noninvasive procedure that provides an alternative to skull r...
Franklin H, Burnt JF, Allen KJ.Dynamic collapse of the upper respiratory tract (URT) is a common cause of poor performance in horses. These conditions occur predominantly during strenuous exercise when the URT is unable to maintain dilation in the face of high inspiratory pressures. In most cases, these disorders cannot be accurately diagnosed during a resting endoscopic examination. To date, a definitive diagnosis of dynamic URT obstructions has been possible only by performing an endoscopic examination during high-speed treadmill exercise. However, recent technological advances now enable URT endoscopy to be performed whi...
Dart AJ, Snyder JR, Pascoe JR, Meagher DM, Wilson WD.To quantify some components of prepurchase evaluations in horses, records from 134 evaluations performed during a 2-year period were reviewed and the outcome was determined via telephone follow-up interview. Sixty-two percent of the prepurchase evaluations had been performed at the clinic and 38% had been performed in the field by the ambulatory service. All evaluations included physical and lameness examinations, whereas radiography (49%), endoscopy (15%), nerve blocking (5%), transrectal palpation (3%), hematologic analysis (2%), electrocardiography (2%), drug testing for analgesic agents (2...
Pezzanite L, Easley J.Cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy (CVCM) represents the most significant disease of the spinal cord in horses for which surgical treatment is described. Current surgical methods used include ventral interbody fusion with kerf cut cylinders and dorsal laminectomy. Polyaxial pedicle screw and rod constructs and ventral locking compression plating have been introduced in the treatment of equine CVCM and present promising alternative approaches to achieve ventral interbody fusion. Advancements in diagnostic imaging and endoscopy of the cervical vertebral canal may improve reliable preopera...
Savage CJ.Defining respiratory disease is not always easy in the horse because auscultation with accurate interpretation of lung sounds can be difficult. However, performing a thorough physical examination, including rebreathing auscultation and percussion of the thorax and sinuses, is very useful in elucidating the problem. Endoscopic examination of the upper respiratory system is also critical for definitively diagnosing certain conditions.
Sams AE, Weldon AD, Rakestraw P.Three horses were diagnosed as having esophageal inclusion cysts. Clinical signs included dysphagia, swelling of the cervical esophagus, and salivation. Surgical removal of the cyst was attempted in two horses. Both horses survived, but multiple complications occurred, including esophageal fistulation and neurovascular damage. Marsupialization of the cyst was performed in the third horse. The stoma closed 3 weeks after surgery without complications, and endoscopic examination revealed a grossly normal esophagus. Marsupialization may be preferable to surgical removal for treatment of selected e...
Mählmann K, Koch C, Bodó G.To compare the practicability, visualization of structures, and iatrogenic damage of direct and transthecal approaches to the navicular bursa for diagnostic needle endoscopy. Methods: Descriptive study. Methods: Equine cadaver forelimbs (n = 30). Methods: Direct and transthecal approaches for insertion of a needle endoscope into the navicular bursa were performed. Video recordings of endoscopic procedures were assessed to determine all structures visualized within the navicular bursa. Number of attempts to gain access to the navicular bursa and total time for insertion and examination were...
Lindegaard C, Husted L, Ullum H, Fjeldborg J.Endoscopy of the upper airways of horses is used as a diagnostic tool and at purchase examinations. On some occasions it is necessary to use sedation during the procedure and it is often speculated that the result of the examination might be influenced due to the muscle-relaxing properties of the most commonly used sedatives. Objective: To evaluate the effect of detomidine (0.01 mg/kg bwt) and acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg bwt) on the appearance of symmetry of rima glottidis, ability to abduct maximally the arytenoid cartilages and the effect on recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) grade. Methods: ...
Perkins JD, Hughes TK, Brain B.To describe and evaluate the use of a transoral, endoscope-guided technique for transection of an entrapping epiglottic fold in sedated standing horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Horses (n=16) with epiglottic fold entrapment (EFE). Methods: Medical records (2005-2006) of 16 horses with EFE were reviewed to determine history, physical and endoscopic examination findings, postoperative complications, and outcome after axial division of EFE using a hooked bistoury, under an endoscopic-guided, transoral approach. Results: EFE was confirmed by endoscopy. Axial division was successfully...
Cousty M, Tricaud C, De Beauregard T, Picandet V, Bizon-Mercier C, Tessier C.The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of ligation of the ipsilateral common carotid artery (CCA) combined with various antimycotic treatments for the prevention of epistaxis in horses with guttural pouch mycosis. For each case, ipsilateral ligation of the CCA was performed, followed by application of various topical medications under endoscopic guidance. Frequency and number of treatments, outcome and recurrence of haemorrhage were retrospectively recorded. Twenty-four horses were included. Topical medication was administered by detachment of the diphtheric membrane and sprayin...
Cascardo B, Bernardes C, de Souza GN, Silva KM, Pires NR, de Alencar NX, Lessa DAB.Lower airway cytology has been proposed as a complementary diagnostic method to confirm the presence and quantifying the severity of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). Bronchoalveolar lavage is usually preferred over tracheal wash (TW), yet the need for sedation imposes as a limitation for active sport horses in addition to be a highly invasive technique. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of TW with Total Hemosiderin Score (THS) for monitoring EIPH in active Thoroughbred racehorses. A sampling of 47 randomly selected Thoroughbreds were endoscopically examined for EIPH...
Cardwell JM, Christley RM, Gerber V, Malikides N, Wood JL, Newton JR, Hodgson JL.The term 'inflammatory airway disease' (IAD) is often used to describe the syndrome of lower airway inflammation that frequently affects young racehorses in training around the world. In practice, this inflammation is generally diagnosed using a combination of endoscopic tracheal examination, including grading of amounts of mucus present and tracheal wash sampling. However, a recent consensus statement from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine concluded that bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) sampling, rather than tracheal wash (TW) sampling, is required for cytological diagnosis of ...
Jones DL.Medical records were reviewed for 11 horses with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and/or pharynx. The average age at presentation was 15.3 years. No breed or sex predilection was present. At presentation, 6 of 11 horses were dyspneic and 4 horses had inspiratory stridor. Endoscopy was performed in all cases and was more useful in demonstrating a mass in the laryngopharyngeal region than laryngeal or guttural pouch radiography. Surgical excision was attempted in 3 horses and in 1 horse alleviated clinical signs for 4 months. Ten horses were euthanatized and 1 horse died. Results of this st...
Perkins JD, Schumacher J, Kelly G, Gomez JH, Schumacher J.To report use of a modified Whitehouse approach in standing horses for management of inspissated guttural pouch empyema. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Adult horses (n=10) with guttural pouch empyema. Methods: Inspissated exudate in 1 or both guttural pouches was removed surgically through a modified Whitehouse approach, with the horses standing and sedated. Medical records of affected horses were reviewed to determine history; physical, endoscopic, and radiological examination findings; surgical technique; complications, and outcome. Results: All horses had purulent nasal discharge; 3...
Koch DW, Ericksen KA, Easley JT, Hackett ES.To report the clinical outcomes of horses with chronic guttural pouch infection characterized by accumulation of mucopurulent material following transpharyngeal diode laser fenestration. 13 client-owned horses. Horses undergoing diode laser fenestration for chronic guttural pouch infection were identified by medical record search. Signalment, disease history, presence of mucopurulent empyema or chondroids, and pre- and postoperative therapy were recorded. Owners were contacted for follow-up information at a minimum of 6 months following surgery. 13 horses underwent laser fenestration for chron...
Claffey EF, Ducharme NG.The nasal conchal bullae (dorsal and ventral) are separate, air-filled structures within their respective dorsal and ventral nasal conchae. Computed tomography scans have assisted with the increasing diagnosis of empyema of the nasal conchae. This condition is usually associated with dental or sinus disease. Drainage of affected bullae is considered critical for resolution of clinical signs. The ventral conchal bullae can be easily viewed with a standard 10Â mm diameter flexible endoscopy via the middle nasal meatus. This approach can also be used for fenestration of the bullae, using a diode ...
Pouyet M, G Bonilla A.To describe the technique, experience, and limitations of using a 2-mm flexible endoscope to perform standing minimally invasive sinoscopy. Methods: In phases 1 and 2, we used cadaveric heads (ex vivo). In phase 3, we used unaffected horses (in vivo). Methods: Five cadaveric equine skulls in phase 1 and 10 cadaveric equine skulls in phase 2. Six horses older than 5 years in phase 3. Methods: In phase 1, the specimens were used to determine the suitability of the endoscope for sinoscopy and the ideal landmarks to approach the paranasal sinuses through minisinusotomies performed with a 14 gaug...
Seahorn TL, Schumacher J.Chondroid masses were successfully removed from the guttural pouches of 2 horses, using an endoscope, a snare, and a vacuum pump. This technique is an alternative to surgical removal of chondroid masses in patients when basic lavage of the affected guttural pouch is ineffective. Complications were not encountered. Advantages of this snare technique include avoidance of surgery and its potential complications, minimal recovery time, and minimal expense.
Estrada A, Samper JC, Lillich JD, Rathi RR, Brault LS, Albrecht BB, Imel MM, Senne EM.A 3-year-old Quarter Horse halter stallion was referred for routine semen evaluation. Physically, the stallion's reproductive organs appeared normal. Repeated semen evaluations did not reveal any spermatozoa. Because high activities of alkaline phosphatase are detected in the epididymal fluid and indicative of complete ejaculation, alkaline phosphatase activities were analyzed in several samples, which yielded activities far less than reference values and suggested a blockage of the reproductive tract. Endoscopic evaluation of the urethra and the bulbourethral, prostate, and urethral gland duc...
Ford TS, Schumacher J, Chaffin MK, Vacek J, Brumbaugh GW, Crossland LE.An intrathoracic esophageal pulsion diverticulum causing repeated episodes of esophageal obstruction in a Morgan weanling colt was diagnosed by endoscopy, positive contrast radiography, and pleuroscopy. Surgical excision of the diverticulum alleviated clinical signs, and the horse was able to resume a normal diet by day 6. After 9 months the colt remains asymptomatic.
Traub-Dargatz JL, McKinnon AO.Included in this article are descriptions of adjunctive methods of examination of the urogenital tract, including ultrasonography of the kidneys, urinary bladder, ovaries and uterus; endoscopy of the urethra, urinary bladder, and uterus; contrast radiography of the urinary tract; kidney biopsy; and laparoscopy of the abdomen, emphasizing examination of the mare's reproductive tract.
Baird AN, True CK.Two horses were referred with fragments of nasogastric tubes as esophageal foreign bodies. Radiography and endoscopy were used to identify the location of the fragments. Portions of the tubes were retrieved by esophagotomy in 1 horse and by manual examination of the oral cavity in the other. Both tubes were friable in focal areas, but were quite pliable over most of the length of the tube.
Mirazo JE, Page P, Rubio-Martinez L, Marais HJ, Lyle C.Upper airway endoscopy at rest has been the diagnostic method of choice for equine upper respiratory tract (URT) conditions. Development of high-speed treadmill endoscopy improved the sensitivity of URT endoscopy by allowing observation of the horse's nasopharynx and larynx during exercise. However, treadmill exercise may not always accurately represent the horse's normal exercise as track surface, rider, tack and environmental variables are altered. Recently, the development of dynamic overground endoscopy (DOE) has addressed some of these shortcomings. A retrospective study was undertaken to...
Pader K, Lescun TB, Freeman LJ.To develop and assess the feasibility of standing transvaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES®) ovariectomy in the mare. Methods: Descriptive study. Methods: Mares (n=10). Methods: The technique was developed in 6 mares and then evaluated in a short-term study in 4 mares. Abdominal access was developed using controlled access vaginal cannula placement under endoscopic guidance. With viewing provided by a flexible endoscope, hemostasis, and transection of ovarian pedicles was performed using a customized bipolar vessel-sealing device. The ovaries were retrieved and the ...
Bach FS, Böhler A, Schieder K, Handschuh S, Simhofer H.To evaluate 2 surgical techniques for establishing and/or improving paranasal sinus drainage in cadaver heads and horses with sinusitis and evaluate the feasibility of postoperative transnasal sinus endoscopy. Methods: Ex vivo study (equine cadaver heads) and case series. Methods: Nine adult equine cadaver heads and 8 horses with recurrent sinusitis. Methods: For the ex vivo study, the following procedures were performed on 9 cadaver heads: preoperative and postoperative computed tomography (heads 1-6), endoscopy-guided transnasal conchotomy of the ventral conchal sinus (TCVCS) and surgical en...
