Endoscopic anatomy and map of the equine bronchial tree.
Abstract: To develop a bronchoscopic map of the equine respiratory tree, the major airways of the lungs of 6 healthy Thoroughbred horses were systematically explored with a flexible fibreoptic endoscope through a tracheostomy while the horses were sedated in stocks. With the carina as the reference point, measurements were made of distances to the branches of the major airways using markers on the shaft of the endoscope. All branches were explored until the narrowing of their diameters prevented further advancement of the endoscope. Positions of origins of branches from the parent bronchus were recorded in relation to a 12 h clock. Branching patterns of the right and left lungs were similar. Seventeen branches of the principal and caudal lobar bronchi of the left lung, and 18 branches of the principal and caudal lobar bronchi of the right lung were identified. Mean explorable distances from the carina to the ends of the right and left caudal lobar bronchi were 34.0 +/- 3.5 (sd) and 34.5 +/- 3.0 cm, respectively. Generally, smaller horses had shorter explorable bronchial lengths. Branching patterns of the parent bronchi were fairly consistent among horses, particularly the branches closest to the carina. After endoscopy and euthanasia, the lungs were removed, and dried with pressurised air flowing through them for 7-10 days. Attempts to explore the airways of the dried lungs endoscopically were relatively unsuccessful, because airways were much smaller in the dried lungs, and many of the branches were distorted when compared with their antemortem appearances. However, having a dried lung specimen as a reference during the bronchoscopic procedure was useful for maintaining orientation in the lungs. Radiographs were used to estimate the location of the origin and destination of each airway branch in relation to the nearest intercostal space. This makes the airway map useful when lesions identified radiographically are to be lavaged.
Publication Date: 1994-07-01 PubMed ID: 8575395DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1994.tb04388.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study aimed to develop a thorough bronchoscopic map of the equine respiratory tree using six healthy Thoroughbred horses. The outcomes provide a detailed understanding of the anatomy and distances of branches in the equine lungs, offering important findings for potential procedures and treatments related to horse lungs.
Methodology
- The researchers used a flexible fibreoptic endoscope to explore major airways in the lungs of six healthy Thoroughbred horses.
- This exploration was carried out via tracheostomy, while the horses were under sedation and in stocks.
- A reference point, known as the carina, was identified on the endoscope, and measurements were made to indicate distances from this point to the branches of the major airways.
- Branching patterns were tracked, with the positions of branch origins recorded using a 12-hour clock reference.
- All branches were scrutinized until their narrowing dimensions prevented further advance of the endoscope.
Findings
- The study identified similar branching patterns in both right and left lungs.
- Seventeen branches of major left lung airways, and eighteen branches of major right lung airways, were identified.
- The explorable distances from the carina to the ends of the right and left caudal lobar bronchi averaged roughly 34.0 cm and 34.5 cm, respectively.
- Notably, smaller horses had shorter explorable bronchial lengths.
- The parent bronchi’s branching patterns were found to be fairly consistent among all studied horses. This consistency was particularly true for branches close to the carina, the defined reference point.
Post-mortem Analysis and Uses
- After endoscopy and euthanasia, the horse lungs were removed and dried with pressurized air for a period of 7-10 days.
- Unfortunately, attempts to further investigate the dried lungs were relatively unsuccessful, revealing that these airways were noticeably smaller and many branches were distorted compared to their live appearances.
- However, having a dried lung specimen as a reference helped researchers maintain orientation during bronchial procedures.
- Radiographs were employed to estimate the location of the origin and endpoint of each airway branch in relation to the nearest intercostal space. This information was crucial to making the airway map valuable for locating and lavaging lesions identified radiographically.
Cite This Article
APA
Smith BL, Aguilera-Tejero E, Tyler WS, Jones JH, Hornof WJ, Pascoe JR.
(1994).
Endoscopic anatomy and map of the equine bronchial tree.
Equine Vet J, 26(4), 283-290.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1994.tb04388.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bronchi / anatomy & histology
- Bronchoscopy / veterinary
- Desiccation
- Female
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Lung / anatomy & histology
- Male
- Reference Values
- Specimen Handling / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Westermann CM, de Bie AG, Olave C, de Grauw JC, Teske E, Couetil LL. Effect of Lavage Solution Type on Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Cytology in Clinically Healthy Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 15;13(16).
- Lee GKC, Beeler-Marfisi J, Viel L, Piché É, Kang H, Sears W, Bienzle D. Bronchial brush cytology, endobronchial biopsy, and SALSA immunohistochemistry in severe equine asthma. Vet Pathol 2022 Jan;59(1):100-111.
- Mehrabi S, Tanideh N, Hosseinpour R, Irajie C, Yavari Barhaghtalabi MJ. A left lung with four lobes: a new discovery during the thoracotomy for recurrent primary spontaneous pneumothorax. J Cardiothorac Surg 2021 Sep 28;16(1):276.
- Höglund N, Rossi H, Javela HM, Oikari S, Nieminen P, Mustonen AM, Airas N, Kärjä V, Mykkänen A. The amount of hyaluronic acid and airway remodelling increase with the severity of inflammation in neutrophilic equine asthma. BMC Vet Res 2024 Jun 25;20(1):273.
- Caccamo R, Twedt DC, Buracco P, McKiernan BC. Endoscopic bronchial anatomy in the cat. J Feline Med Surg 2007 Apr;9(2):140-9.
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