Empyema of the guttural pouch (auditory tube diverticulum) in horses: 91 cases (1977-1997).

This research looks into the key characteristics of guttural pouch empyema in horses – a condition that affects the horse’s auditory tube diverticulum – comparing uncomplicated occurrences with cases complicated by chondroids. The paper also analyzes treatment methods including investigating how lavage therapy can potentially circumvent the need for surgical intervention.

Research Methodology

• The researchers conducted a retrospective examination, looking at medical records of 91 horses with guttural pouch empyema.
• The main objective was to identify prevalent symptoms in affected horses and assess the success of treatment methodologies.

Findings

• The most frequently reported symptom by horse owners was persistent nasal discharge.
• Chondroids – solid or calcified masses – were present in approximately 21% of the cases studied (19 out of 91 horses).
• Microbiological analysis showed that Streptococcus equi bacteria isolated from 14 of the 44 horses sampled was resistant to both sulfadimethoxine and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, two common antibiotics.
• Retrospective study showed that retropharyngeal swelling and pharyngeal narrowing were significantly more prevalent in horses affected by chondroids compared to horses with uncomplicated empyema.

Treatment and Prognosis

• 93% of the horses affected were released from the hospital after treatment.
• Out of the discharged horses, 66% showed complete disease resolution, 19% showed improvement without full resolution, and 15% demonstrated no improvement.
• The researchers concluded that treatment via lavage, a therapeutic wash or irrigation, offers a good prognosis for uncomplicated guttural pouch empyema in horses.
• For horses with chondroids complicating the empyema, the recommended aggressive treatment was lavage therapy alongside endoscopic snare removal of the chondroids. This approach showed promising results, potentially making surgical intervention unnecessary.

Conclusions

• The study suggests that horses displaying persistent nasal discharge should be examined endoscopically for possible guttural pouch empyema.
• The identified treatment methods show promise for a good prognosis of guttural pouch empyema in horses, and may potentially lead to less surgical interventions.