Use of successive dynamic videoendoscopic evaluations to identify progression of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy in three horses.
METHODS
3 racehorses were evaluated because of poor performance or abnormal noise originating from the upper portion of the respiratory tract.


RESULTS
During maximal exercise, initial dynamic videoendoscopy of the upper respiratory tract revealed complete arytenoid cartilage abduction in 2 horses and incomplete but adequate abduction of the left arytenoid cartilage in 1 horse. Subsequent exercising endoscopic evaluation revealed severe dynamic collapse of the left arytenoid cartilage and vocal fold in all 3 horses.


RESULTS
2 horses were treated with prosthetic left laryngoplasty and raced successfully. One horse was retired from racing.


CONCLUSIONS
Idiopathic laryngeal hemiplegia can be a progressive disease. Successive dynamic videoendoscopic upper airway evaluations were used to confirm progression of left laryngeal hemiplegia in these 3 horses. Videoendoscopy of the upper respiratory tract during exercise should be considered as part of the clinical evaluation of horses with signs of upper respiratory tract dysfunction.
Davidson
Elizabeth J
EJ
Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348-1692, USA.
Martin
Benson B
BB
Parente
Eric J
EJ
D000818:Animals; D001193:Arytenoid Cartilage / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D018450:Disease Progression; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014741:Video Recording