Treatment of acute epistaxis secondary to guttural pouch mycosis with transarterial nitinol vascular occlusion plugs in three equids.

This research is about treating nosebleeds in horses due to a fungal infection in the guttural pouch by occluding affected blood vessels using transarterial nitinol intravascular plugs. Long-term survival and return to normal function were seen in all three equids (2 horses and 1 pony) treated with this method.

Objective

The research aimed to explore an alternative treatment for equids (horses, ponies etc) suffering from acute epistaxis (nosebleeds) caused by guttural pouch mycosis (GPM), a common but dangerous fungal infection in their guttural pouch.

Method

• Three equids experiencing nosebleeds for various durations ranging from a day to a month were studied: Right-sided issues were observed in one horse and one pony while the other horse had a problem on the left.
• Endoscopic examination showed that in two equids, the hemorrhage originated from the right maxillary artery while the left internal carotid artery was the source in the third.
• Each of the three equids showed symptoms of guttural pouch mycosis.
• All three were subjected to surgery wherein transarterial nitinol intravascular plugs were implanted to block the affected arteries.

Results

• All three equids survived for a long time post-surgery, with the shortest survival rate being one to two years. Additionally, they were able to return to their normal activities.
• All showed complete reversal of clinical signs of guttural pouch mycosis without the need for additional medication.

Conclusion

The study concluded that the method of using transarterial nitinol intravascular plugs seems to be a potent alternative to other techniques used in treating epistaxis stemming from guttural pouch mycosis including other blood vessel occlusion devices like embolization coils. This method appears to not only survive the condition but also show significant recovery and resumption of normal tasks.