Usefulness of the assessment of discharge accumulation in the lower airways and tracheal septum thickening in the differential diagnosis of recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) and inflammatory airway disease (IAD) in the horse

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to use endoscopic evaluation to compare the grade of accumulation of discharge in the lower airways of horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) and inflammatory airway disease (IAD), and to estimate the usefulness of endoscopic evaluation in differential diagnosis of these diseases. Endoscopic evaluation consists of: the amount of discharge in the lower part of the trachea and tracheal bifurcation, and the assessment of tracheal septum thickness.This study was performed on 248 horses, 10 were healthy, 97 were diagnosed as RAO, and 141were diagnosed as IAD. In all animals both a clinical and endoscopic examination were performed.During endoscopy, a score of mucus accumulation was estimated in 3/4 lower of the trachea and in the tracheal bifurcation. In addition to this, thickening of the tracheal septum was also assessed.According to the results of this study, it was estimated that the accumulation of mucus in the lower airways was much more advanced in RAO horses compared to horses with IAD. In horses with RAO there was a marked thickening of the tracheal septum compared to IAD horses.The results indicate the efficacy of scoring the amount of mucus in the tracheal lumen and tracheal bifurcation, as well as the efficacy of the assessment of tracheal septum thickness in the diagnosis of these diseases.

Cytological evaluation of tracheal aspirate and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid in comparison to endoscopic assessment of lower airways in horses with recurrent airways obstruction or inflammatory airway disease

“…Endoscopic scoring of discharge accumulation in area of tracheal bifurcation was performed on the basis of a 4 grade scale which was developed during our earlier research (Wysocka and Kluciński 2014).…”

“…Both diseases are characterized by cough, nasal discharge, accumulation of discharge in the airways and poor performance without an elevation of body temperature (Coultil et al 2007, Gerber et al 2009, Wysocka and Kluciński 2014.…”

“…These parameters are: anatomical structure of the upper and lower airways, accumulation of the discharge, thickness of tracheal septum as well as cytological and microbiological evaluation of TA and BALF (Derksen et al 1989, Kluciński et al 1994, Wysocka and Kluciński 2014.…”

Investigation of respiratory disorders in Thoroughbred racehorses training at the Brazilian Jockey Club

“…These observations reinforce the importance of respiratory endoscopy as an effective diagnostic method, especially in horses mildly affected by chronic or sub-acute pathologies (BEECH, 1991). Also, a recent study demonstrated that endoscopic assessment of carina thickness and airway mucus is useful for diagnosing IAD and RAO (WYSOCKA & KLUCINSKI, 2014).…”

“…Optimal airway function is essential for horses performing at high levels. It is common for subclinical respiratory diseases to go undetected on routine clinical examinations, often requiring auxiliary diagnostic methods (WYSOCKA & KLUCINSKI, 2014 (JCB), por meio de mensuração da pressão interpleural através da ventigrafia e endoscopia respiratória. Quando presentes nas vias aéreas, foram coletadas secreções por aspirado traqueal transendoscópico para realização de citologia.…”