Empyema of the guttural pouch (auditory tube diverticulum) in horses: 91 cases (1977-1997).
OBJECTIVE
To identify features of guttural pouch (auditory tube diverticulum) empyema in horses and compare findings of uncomplicated guttural pouch empyema with guttural pouch empyema complicated by chondroids.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
91 horses with guttural pouch empyema.


METHODS
Medical records of horses with guttural pouch empyema were reviewed.


RESULTS
The most common owner complaint and abnormal finding was persistent nasal discharge. Chondroids were detected in 21% (19/91) of affected horses. Streptococcus equi was isolated from the guttural pouch in 14 of 44 horses; for Streptococcus spp, in vitro resistance to sulfadimethoxine and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was detected. Retropharyngeal swelling and pharyngeal narrowing were significantly more prevalent in horses with chondroids, compared with horses with uncomplicated empyema. Ninety-three percent of affected horses were discharged from the hospital; at time of discharge, 66% had complete resolution of disease, 19% had improvement without resolution, and 15% did not have improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
Horses with persistent nasal discharge should be examined endoscopically for guttural pouch empyema. Treatment with lavage offers a good prognosis for resolution of uncomplicated guttural pouch empyema. Aggressive treatment with lavage and endoscopic snare removal of chondroids offers a good prognosis and may make surgical intervention unnecessary.
Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4475, USA.
C E
CE
Judy
M K
MK
Chaffin
N D
ND
Cohen
D000818:Animals; D004240:Diverticulum / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004653:Empyema / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000662:veterinary