Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fistulation of the auditory tube diverticulum (guttural pouch) with a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser for treatment of chronic empyema in two horses.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2001
- Authors:
- Hawkins, J F et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Two horses suffering from a long-term infection in their guttural pouches (a part of their throat) did not get better with regular medical treatment. One horse had the problem on both sides, while the other had it on just one side. They were treated using a special laser to create openings in the affected area, and small tubes were placed to keep these openings open. After the treatment, both horses showed no complications, and their owners were happy with the results. The authors suggest this laser procedure for horses that don’t improve with standard treatments for this condition.
Abstract
Two horses with chronic empyema of the auditory tube diverticulum (guttural pouch) were refractory to medical treatment; empyema was bilateral in 1 horse and unilateral in the other. Both horses were treated by fistulation of the cartilage of the pharyngeal orifice by use of a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser in a noncontact manner. To maintain patency of the fistulae, indwelling catheters were placed into the openings created by the laser. For both horses, long-term follow-up did not reveal complications, and both owners were satisfied with results of the procedure. The authors recommend this procedure for horses that are unresponsive to medical treatment for chronic guttural pouch empyema.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11201568/