Laryngeal Hemiplegia (laryngeal + hemiplegia)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Penetrating injury at the thoracic inlet in a Paint-Arab mare

EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION, Issue 12 2009
Y. R. Rojman
Summary A 12-year-old Paint-Arab mare was admitted for evaluation of a penetrating chest laceration at the thoracic inlet. The left brachiocephalic muscle was transected and the recurrent laryngeal nerve was traumatised. Subsequent to the injury, the horse developed Horner's syndrome on the left side of the neck and face, Grade IV left laryngeal hemiplegia, dysphagia, cough and subcutaneous emphysema. The defect was closed in multiple layers. Antimicrobial and antiinflammatory therapy was instituted along with local wound care. The mare remained bright and responsive and the wound healed normally. The mare showed no signs of respiratory distress. Dysphagia and ptosis persisted at 30 days post trauma. [source]


Implications of different degrees of arytenoid cartilage abduction on equine upper airway characteristics

EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 7 2008
V. RAKESH
Summary Reason for performing study: The necessary degree of arytenoid cartilage abduction (ACA) to restore airway patency at maximal exercise has not been determined. Objectives: Use computational fluid dynamics modelling to measure the effects of different degrees of ACA on upper airway characteristics of horses during exercise. Hypothesis: Maximal ACA by laryngoplasty is necessary to restore normal peak airflow and pressure in Thoroughbred racehorses with laryngeal hemiplegia. Methods: The upper airway was modeled with the left arytenoid in 3 different positions: maximal abduction; 88% cross-sectional area of the rima glottis; and 75% cross-sectional area of the rima glottis. The right arytenoid cartilage was maximally abducted. Two models were assumed: Model 1: no compensation of airway pressures; and Model 2: airway pressure compensation occurs to maintain peak airflow. The cross-sectional pressure and velocity distributions for turbulent flow were studied at peak flow and at different positions along the airway. Results: Model 1: In the absence of a change in driving pressure, 12 and 25% reductions in cross-sectional area of the larynx resulted in 4.11 and 5.65% reductions in peak airflow and 3.68 and 5.64% in tidal volume, respectively, with mild changes in wall pressure. Model 2: To maintain peak flow, a 6.27% increase in driving tracheal pressure was required to compensate for a cross-sectional reduction of 12% and a 13.63% increase in driving tracheal pressure was needed for a cross-sectional area reduction of 25%. This increase in negative driving pressure resulted in regions with low intraluminal and wall pressures, depending on the degree of airway diameter reduction. Conclusion: Assuming no increase in driving pressure, the decrease in left ACA reduced airflow and tidal volume. With increasing driving pressure, a decrease in left ACA changed the wall pressure profile, subjecting the submaximally abducted arytenoid cartilage and adjacent areas to airway collapse. Clinical relevance: The surgical target of ACA resulting in 88% of maximal cross-sectional area seems to be appropriate. [source]


Effects of unilateral laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy in horses with laryngeal hemiplegia

EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 6 2006
P. ROBINSON
Summary Reasons for performing study: Recent studies have evaluated surgical techniques aimed at reducing noise and improving airway function in horses with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN). These techniques require general anaesthesia and are invasive. A minimally invasive transnasal surgical technique for treatment of RLN that may be employed in the standing, sedated horse would be advantageous. Objective: To determine whether unilateral laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy (LVC) improves upper airway function and reduces noise during inhalation in exercising horses with laryngeal hemiplegia (LH). Methods: Six Standardbred horses were used; respiratory sound and inspiratory transupper airway pressure (Pui) measured before and after induction of LH, and 60, 90 and 120 days after LVC. Inspiratory sound level (SL) and the sound intensities of formants 1, 2 and 3 (F1, F2 and F3, respectively), were measured using computer-based sound analysis programmes. In addition, upper airway endoscopy was performed at each time interval, at rest and during treadmill exercise. Results: In LH-affected horses, Pui, SL and the sound intensity of F2 and F3 were increased significantly from baseline values. At 60 days after LVC, Pui and SL had returned to baseline, and F2 and F3 values had improved partially compared to LH values. At 90 and 120 days, however, SL increased again to LH levels. Conclusions: LVC decreases LH-associated airway obstruction by 60 days after surgery, and reduces inspiratory noise but not as effectively as bilateral ventriculocordectomy. Potential relevance: LVC may be recommended as a treatment of LH, where reduction of upper airway obstruction and respiratory noise is desired and the owner wishes to avoid risks associated with a laryngotomy incision or general anaesthesia. [source]


Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of equine respiratory mechanics by impulse oscillometry

EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 1 2006
E. VAN ERCK
Summary Reasons for performing study: The long- established conventional reference technique (CRT) for measuring respiratory mechanics in horses lacks sensitivity and there is a need for further refinement in new technology, such as the impulse oscillometry system (IOS). Objectives: To evaluate the potential use of the IOS as a clinical respiratory function test and compare it to the current CRT in horses suffering from common upper and lower airway dysfunctions. Methods: Six healthy horses were tested before and after induction of a unilateral nasal obstruction (UNO) or transient left laryngeal hemiplegia (LLH). Six heaves-affected horses were tested in clinical remission and during a heaves crisis, before and after nebulisation of cumulative doses of a bronchodilator therapy (ipratropium bromide; IPB). Results: As opposed to the CRT, the IOS was able to detect partial upper airway obstruction (UAO) caused by UNO or LLH in resting horses, without differentiating both conditions. Upper airway obstruction caused an upward shift of resistance (Rrs) from 5 to 35 Hz without altering reactance (Xrs). As for the CRT, IOS respiratory parameters measured in heaves-affected horses in crisis differed significantly from values measured during remission. The difference in frequency-dependent behaviour of Rrs and Xrs allowed discrimination between upper and lower airway obstructions. Bronchodilator treatment induced significant dose-dependent changes in Xrs at 5 and 10 Hz, from the first dose. Total pulmonary resistance (RL) and Rrs at 5 Hz were affected from the second dose and displayed similar sensitivity. Although post treatment RL values were comparable to remission, Rrs and Xrs remained significantly different, characterising persistent peripheral obstruction. Conclusions: The IOS was more sensitive than the CRT in detecting partial UAO in resting horses and persistent post treatment peripheral dysfunction in heaves-affected horses. The IOS is a sensitive test that provides graded quantitative and qualitative information on disease-induced respiratory dysfunctions as well as on treatment efficiency in horses. Potential relevance: The IOS could represent a practical and sensitive alternative respiratory function test for routine clinical investigations of common airway obstructive diseases and therapy in horses. [source]