Retropharyngeal lymph node infection in horses: 46 cases (1977-1992).
Abstract: A retrospective study of 46 horses with retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) infection presented to the Rural Veterinary Centre between 1977 and 1992 was undertaken. Horses aged less than one year were most commonly represented (46%). Thirty-nine percent of cases had been exposed to horses with confirmed or suspected strangles (Streptococcus equi subsp equi infection) within the previous 8 weeks. Most frequent signs were unilateral or bilateral swelling of the throat region (65%), respiratory stertor/dyspnoea (35%), purulent nasal discharge (20%), inappetence and signs of depression (15%), and dysphagia (9%). All horses had a soft tissue density in the retropharyngeal region on radiographs. Rhinopharyngoscopy, ultrasonography, haematology as well as cytological and microbial analysis of material aspirated from the soft tissue swelling facilitated diagnosis in some horses. Fifteen horses (33%) were treated with procaine penicillin intramuscularly for 4 to 7 days followed by oral trimethoprim-sulphadimidine for 7 to 14 days. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were administered to 6 horses. Four required tracheostomy for severe respiratory distress. The 15 horses treated medically responded to treatment and were discharged from hospital. Three horses (6%) with mild signs received no treatment and recovered uneventfully. Twenty-eight horses (61%) underwent general anaesthesia and surgical drainage of a RPLN abscess. Nineteen received procaine penicillin G for 4 to 7 days. Four of the nine horses that did not receive antibiotic treatment after surgery required further surgical drainage 10 days to 7 weeks after the initial surgery. Limited follow-up information was available for 37 horses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1995-05-01 PubMed ID: 7661815DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1995.tb03504.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article presents a retrospective study on the occurrences of retropharyngeal lymph node infection in 46 horses between 1977 and 1992. The study found that horses aged under a year were most commonly affected, and showed that exposure to Streptococcus equi subsp equi infection was common among the subjects. Common symptoms, treatments, and their effectiveness were also documented.
Study subjects and observed patterns
- The study was based on 46 horses, all of which suffered from retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) infection.
- These horses were treated at the Rural Veterinary Centre during the period from 1977 to 1992.
- The study found that cases were most commonly observed in horses aged less than one year, making up 46% of the cases.
- Exposure to horses with confirmed or suspected Streptococcus equi subsp equi infection, commonly known as strangles, was observed in 39% of the cases within the 8 weeks preceding their symptoms.
Common symptoms
- Some of the most frequently observed signs of an RPLN infection were unilateral or bilateral swelling of the throat region (found in 65% of cases), respiratory distress (35%), purulent nasal discharge (20%), inappetence and depressive behavior (15%), and dysphagia, or difficulty in swallowing (9%).
- Upon examination, all the horses demonstrated a soft tissue density in the retropharyngeal region which was confirmed through radiographic imaging.
Diagnostic methods
- Additional diagnostic methods such as rhinopharyngoscopy (examining the nasal and throat area), ultrasonography, haematological analysis, and microbial and cytological analysis assisted in reaching a definitive diagnosis.
Treatment and response
- About 33% of the horses (15 out of 46) were treated with procaine penicillin administered intramuscularly over 4 to 7 days, followed by an oral regimen of trimethoprim-sulphadimidine for an additional 7 to 14 days.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were given to 6 horses to manage their symptoms.
- Some patients who were in severe respiratory distress needed a tracheostomy, which was required in four cases.
- This medical regimen was successful in the 15 subjects who were then discharged from the hospital.
- Three additional horses that exhibited mild symptoms were not treated but managed to recover uneventfully.
Surgical Intervention
- Moving towards more invasive strategies, 28 horses (61% of the total cases) underwent general anaesthesia for surgical drainage of an RPLN abscess.
- Post-surgery, 19 horses were administered procaine penicillin G for 4 to 7 days. Of note is that four among the nine patients who didn’t receive an antibiotic treatment required another surgical intervention around 10 days to 7 weeks following the initial operation.
Post-treatment follow-up and recovery
- The study was able to collect follow-up data from 37 horses. However, the details of that follow-up data are not provided within the abstract.
Cite This Article
APA
Golland LC, Hodgson DR, Davis RE, Rawlinson RJ, Collins MB, McClintock SA, Hutchins DR.
(1995).
Retropharyngeal lymph node infection in horses: 46 cases (1977-1992).
Aust Vet J, 72(5), 161-164.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1995.tb03504.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Health, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales.
MeSH Terms
- Administration, Oral
- Animals
- Drainage / veterinary
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Injections, Intramuscular / veterinary
- Lymph Nodes / microbiology
- Lymphadenitis / diagnosis
- Lymphadenitis / microbiology
- Lymphadenitis / therapy
- Lymphadenitis / veterinary
- Male
- Penicillins / therapeutic use
- Pharynx
- Retropharyngeal Abscess / diagnosis
- Retropharyngeal Abscess / microbiology
- Retropharyngeal Abscess / therapy
- Retropharyngeal Abscess / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis
- Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
- Streptococcal Infections / therapy
- Streptococcal Infections / veterinary
- Streptococcus equi / isolation & purification
- Sulfamethazine / therapeutic use
- Trimethoprim / therapeutic use
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Buczinski S, Fecteau G, Alexander K, Norman-Carmel E. Use of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of upper respiratory obstruction in a calf. Can Vet J 2008 Mar;49(3):275-9.
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