Equine Guttural Pouch Flashcards
What is the guttural pouch?
air-filled diverticulum of the auditory (Eustachian) tube that communicates with the nasopharynx and opens routinely during swallowing
Guttural pouch, radiograph:
Where is the guttural pouch found? Where does the floor lie? What bone is found within?
extends from the roof of the pharynx to the base of the skull and from the atlantooccipital joint to the dorsal pharyngeal recess
on the pharynx
stylohyoid - divides it into medial and lateral compartments (medial is larger)
Guttural pouch, ventral view
Guttural pouch:
ostia = cartilaginous opening into pharynx
plica salpingopharyngeum = mucosal flap
What are the components of the medial compartment of the guttural pouch?
- internal carotid a.
- vagus n. (X)
- glossopharyngeal n. (IX)
- hypoglossal n. (XII)
- spinal accessory n. (XI)
- cranial laryngeal
- cranial cervical ganglion
- cervical sympathetic trunk
What are the components of the lateral compartment of the guttural pouch?
- external carotid a.
- facial n. (VII)
Guttural pouch compartments:
What is guttural pouch tympany? What causes it?
air distension in the guttural pouch
congenital abnormality that causes the pharyngeal opening (ostia, plica salpingopharyngeum) to malfunction and act as a one-way valve
When is guttural pouch tympany most commonly seen? What horses are overrepresented?
shortly after birth to 1 year —> usually unilateral, but may be bilateral
Arabian* and Paint foals
What is the most common clinical sign associated with guttural pouch tympany?
swelling in the parotid region, usually non-painful, elastic, and bilateral despite unilateral lesion —> swelling spreads and compresses the contralateral side
What are 2 possibly complications associated with guttural pouch tympany?
- respiratory distress - swelling compresses pharynx and trachea dorsally
- interference with deglutition (swallowing) - aspiration pneumonia (milk, mucopurulent)
How is guttural pouch tympany diagnosed?
- clinical signs
- endoscopy (can’t see larynx due to swelling)
- radiographs (enlarged pouch, radiolucency)
What is seen on radiographs in cases of guttural pouch tympany?
gas distension causes radiolucent margins of the guttural pouch to extend down the neck
What are 3 options for treating guttural pouch tympany?
- needle compression - short term
- indwelling foley catheter for 4-6 weeks - creates a better opening
- make a permanent hole to deflate