Marsupialization and iodine sclerotherapy of a branchial cyst in a horse.
Abstract: A 6-month-old Morgan colt was evaluated because of a 10-cm right-sided retropharyngeal swelling. The swelling was soft and moveable on examination, and palpation did not elicit signs of pain. Radiography revealed a large space-occupying mass ventral to the second cervical vertebra; ultrasonography revealed an anechoic fluid-filled structure with a well-defined hyperechoic capsule. Fine-needle aspiration yielded a viscous amber fluid. Cytologic evaluation indicated that the fluid was an exudate; anaerobic and aerobic bacterial culture did not yield any growth. Histologic examination of a portion of the cyst capsule revealed a connective tissue wall lined by pseudostratified columnar to cuboidal epithelium, consistent with a branchial cyst. The cyst wall was marsupialized to the skin, and iodine sclerotherapy was performed twice daily for 14 days, at which time forceps were introduced into the cyst and the cyst lining was removed. The site was allowed to heal by second intention, but 10 days later, the swelling recurred. An incision was made over the previous marsupialization site, and residual remnants of the cauterized cyst lining were removed with a forceps. The foal did not have any other complications during the subsequent 2 years. Branchial arch cysts are uncommon embryonic anomalies of horses, mice, cats, dogs, and cattle. Results suggest that marsupialization and iodine sclerotherapy may be a viable alternative to surgical excision in horses with branchial cysts; however, the entire cyst lining must be removed at the completion of sclerotherapy to prevent recurrence and abscess formation.
Publication Date: 2001-08-11 PubMed ID: 11497048DOI: 10.2460/javma.2001.219.338Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research paper investigates the treatment of a large branchial cyst in a young Morgan colt through marsupialization and iodine sclerotherapy, recounting the process, the challenges faced during recovery and the findings drawn from this procedure.
Research Background and Procedure
- The study begins with a case of a 6-month-old Morgan colt that had a 10cm swelling on its right-side retropharyngeal area. Unlike common swellings, this one was relatively softer and movable.
- Upon examination, radiography showed the existence of a sizable mass located near the second cervical vertebra. Ultrasonography was also employed and it unveiled an anechoic fluid-filled structure enclosed by a clear hyperechoic capsule.
- A fine-needle aspiration yielded a thick, amber colored fluid. After some tests, the researchers found that the fluid was mostly exudate and showed no signs of aerobic or anaerobic bacterial growth.
- A Histological study was performed on a portion of the cyst’s capsule, showing it comprised of connective tissue lined by various forms of epithelium. The nature of this composition led the researchers to diagnose it as a branchial cyst.
Treatment and Results
- Once the branchial cyst had been diagnosed, the treatment method employed was marsupialization, where the cyst was opened and unfolded to allow it to drain and heal more effectively.
- Simultaneously, twice daily iodine sclerotherapy was administered to the horse for 14 days. Iodine sclerotherapy is a procedure where an iodine-based solution is injected to cause the constriction and closure of the cyst.
- On the 14th day, a forceps was used to congest the cyst causing the lining to be removed. However, the recovery process was not fully successful as the swelling returned after 10 days.
- The researchers then made an incision over the previous marsupialization site to remove remaining sections of the cyst lining. After this procedure, there were no other complications in the following two years.
Conclusions
- The paper concludes that marsupialization combined with iodine sclerotherapy could potentially be a viable alternative treatment to surgical excision for horses suffering from branchial cysts.
- However, it stipulates that the entire cyst lining must be completely removed after the sclerotherapy to prevent recurrence of the swelling and potential abscess formation.
Cite This Article
APA
Slovis NM, Watson JL, Couto SS.
(2001).
Marsupialization and iodine sclerotherapy of a branchial cyst in a horse.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 219(3), 338-325.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2001.219.338 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Branchioma / diagnosis
- Branchioma / surgery
- Branchioma / therapy
- Branchioma / veterinary
- Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis
- Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery
- Head and Neck Neoplasms / therapy
- Head and Neck Neoplasms / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Iodine
- Male
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnostic imaging
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / surgery
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / veterinary
- Sclerotherapy / veterinary
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Rinnovati R, Bianchin Butina B, Bianchi J, Foglia A, Lambertini C, Del Magno S. Marsupialization and sclerotherapy with povidone iodine and ethanol of a branchial remnant cyst in an Arabian filly. J Equine Sci 2018;29(2):43-46.
- Stoeckle SD, Stage HJ, Gehlen H. Thyroid Disease in Horses-Retrospective Case Series on Patients Examined for Thyroid Disease in an Equine University Clinic (2009-2024). Vet Sci 2025 Nov 27;12(12).
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