34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Objectives:

Tracheal masses are a rare condition on the horse. Leyomyoma and mastocytoma were previously described. Masses that developed secondary to healing  after tracheotomy  incision,  foreign  bodies  or  mucosal  irritation are also described. This poster describes two cases, identified as carcinomas which presented as acute inspiratory dyspnea.

Methods:

Case description: Two geldings were presented with dyspnea. Case 1 the mass occupied 60% of the lumen and was located 60 cm deep in the trachea. The mass was removed using a portal created between the tracheal rings and a sealing device under GA. Case 2 the mass occupied 95% of the lumen and was located next to the carina and was removed using endoscopic laser. On both cases a temporary tracheostomy was created.

Results:

Both cases had a positive outcome in the short term. Case 1 reoccurred 6 months later and financial constraints precluded further treatment.

Conclusions:

Tracheal masses should be considered as a cause of acute respiratory distress in horses. Clinical presentation resembles that of an upper airway obstruction. Resection via endoscopic laser provides an easy and complication free way of removing these masses. Healing is fast and recurrence risk should be reduced using this method. The malignancy of these masses is also a cause of note since previous reports described benign tumors.  Radiography also proved to be a valuable diagnostic method in such cases when endoscopy might not be available.