title: Adjunctive use of a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum garnet laser for treatment of pythiosis granulomas in two horses.
abstract: Pythiosis, caused by Pythium insidiosum, is a common cutaneous granulomatous disease in horses. Surgical removal is the most common treatment; however, high rates of recurrence have been reported. Results of examination of 2 horses with pythiosis granulomas in which a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser was used to photoablate the bed after removal are reported. The mass had not recurred in either horse 1 year after surgery. Photoablation results in collateral thermal necrosis and may kill organisms that have infiltrated surrounding tissues, thus reducing the risk of recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803, USA.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sedrish
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Valdes-Vasquez
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Haynes
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vicek
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011775:Pythium