Dynamic Upper Airway Disorders: From Diagnosis to Surgical Intervention

Dynamic upper respiratory obstruction can affect any type of horse, regardless of athletic discipline. A variety of anatomic structures in the upper airway can collapse or displace resulting in obstruction and reduced athletic performance. Upper respiratory noise secondary to obstruction is a hallmark sign of dynamic collapse. Resting endoscopy in the unsedated horse is necessary to assess laryngeal movements. Overground endoscopy may be necessary to make a complete diagnosis. IN select cases, radiography, ultrasound, CT or MRI may be useful adjunctive imaging modalities. Treatment options for left recurrent laryngeal neuropathy, intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate, vocal fold and aryepiglottic fold collapse, epiglottic retroversion and redundant alar folds will be presented.

• Upper respiratory noise is a hallmark sign of dynamic collapse.
• Resting endoscopy in the unsedated horse is essential in accurately assessing laryngeal movements.
• Overground endoscopy may be necessary for a complete diagnosis.
• Understanding treatment options once a diagnosis of dynamic upper respiratory obstruction has been made.