Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Branchial remnant cysts of mature and juvenile horses.
- Journal:
- Equine veterinary journal
- Year:
- 2009
- Authors:
- Nolen-Walston, R D et al.
- Affiliation:
- University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This report looks at eight horses with branchial remnant cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs that can form in the throat area. Five of these horses were adults, aged between 8 and 21 years, and they showed signs like difficulty swallowing or swelling in the throat. The three younger horses, all foals aged between 1 and 10 months, had breathing issues and visible lumps in their throats. Tests like ultrasounds and X-rays showed these lumps were cysts filled with fluid and blood clots. While two horses had to be euthanized for various reasons, the other five were treated with surgery, but four of them ended up with a complication affecting their ability to breathe properly. Overall, the treatment worked for the majority, but complications were common.
Abstract
This clinical report describes 8 cases of branchial remnant cysts (BRC) in the horse. The horses presented with bimodal age distribution, with 5 cases in mature horses (age 8-21 years) and 3 in foals (age 1, 6 and 10 months). Mature cases presented for dysphagia or intermittent oesophageal obstruction (2/5), and retropharyngeal swelling (3/5), whereas respiratory stridor and visible mass were presenting complaints in the foals. Presence of a right-sided (5/8) or dorsally located (2/8) palpable retropharyngeal mass of 3-35 cm diameter was noted clinically; one left-sided mass was identified as an incidental finding at necropsy. Ultrasonography typically revealed a thick-walled cyst containing hypoechoic fluid with dependent hyperechoic masses consistent with blood clots. Radiographs and upper airway endoscopy were also consistent with a retropharyngeal mass. Fluid cytology revealed chronic haemorrhage in 6/8 cases, and squamous epithelial cells in one case. Histopathology in all cases demonstrated an epithelium-lined cyst with no smooth muscle or thyroid tissue. Two cases was subjected to euthanasia; one due to concurrent laryngeal anomalies and one due to financial constraints. The remaining 5 cases were treated via surgical excision. Post operatively, right laryngeal hemiplegia was observed in 4/5 cases. All previous reports of BRC in the horse have described juvenile individuals. Brachial remnant cyst should be considered a differential diagnosis for mature horses with masses of the throatlatch area and can be definitively diagnosed by the presence of squamous epithelium in aspirated fluid or by histopathology of the excised mass. Right recurrent laryngeal nerve damage is a common complication of surgery.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20383992/