[Diagnosis and therapy of guttural pouch diseases in horses].

This study examines the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the guttural pouch in horses, using a fibreoptic endoscope. It discusses various ailments that can affect this area and the procedures used to identify and treat them.

Research Methods and Objectives

• The study employed a fibreoptic endoscope with an outside diameter of 9.3 mm for a simple and sparing inspection of the guttural pouch in horses.
• The aim was to use this non-invasive method to examine the topography of the guttural pouch and identify any pathological disorders.
• The same procedure was also used for diagnostic specimen collection and therapeutic treatments, such as irrigations.

Key Findings

• Various diseases and conditions can affect the guttural pouch. These include follicular hyperplasia, ascending pharyngeal catarrh, perforating abscesses of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes, empyema and chondroid formation, guttural pouch mycosis leading to arrosion of the carotid artery and tympanites of the guttural pouch in foals caused by congenital defects of the eustachian tube flap.
• Endoscopic photographs were used to illustrate and provide a visual understanding of the topography of the guttural pouch and the various disorders that were identified.

Implications and Applications

• The use of a fibreoptic endoscope enables a minimally invasive method to inspect the guttural pouch, collect diagnostic samples, and perform therapeutic treatment.
• Understanding the various diseases that can affect the guttural pouch is crucial in devising appropriate treatment strategies for horses suffering from these disorders.
• The evidence provided from endoscopic photography can aid in diagnosing and treating these diseases more effectively.