Congenital narrowing of the intrapharyngeal opening in a dog with concurrent oesophageal hiatal hernia

Abstract

A one-year-old, male, smooth-haired standard dachshund was presented with a history of chronic hypersalivation, dysphagia, puffing of the cheeks on expiration, and inspiratory stridor. Oral examination revealed a moderately thickened tongue radix and that the normal intrapharyngeal opening was obliterated. A 7 mm long, midline palatal slit was the only communication between the naso- and oropharynx. The soft palate was fused to the caudal pharyngeal wall. A concurrent hiatal hernia was diagnosed on thoracic radiographs. The soft palate abnormality was surgically corrected and the hiatal hernia was managed medically. On follow-up evaluations, the clinical signs had markedly improved, and the hiatal hernia was no longer visible on survey thoracic radiographs.

Diagnosis of pharyngeal disorders in dogs: a retrospective study of 67 cases

“…Since the palatopharyngeal arch consists of the palatopharyngeal muscle (Evans and Christensen 1979), a muscular origin can be suspected. The same condition has been described in a one‐year‐old standard dachshund with concurrent oesophageal hiatal hernia and both were considered congenital (Dvir and others 2003). In another dog with similar lesions, electromyography of the local muscles as well as of peripheral muscles detected multifocal muscular abnormalities (Grauwels and Clercx 1997).…”

Hiatal hernia in a five‐month‐old Bulldog

“…Upper airway surgery was not deemed necessary at this particular stage in this case study, but the owners were advised to consider a naroplasty and staphylectomy on the dog within the near future. There have also been reports of hiatal herniation associated with laryngeal paralysis and congenital narrowing of the intrapharyngeal opening in dogs (Burnie and others 1989, Dvir and others 2003). …”

“…The congenital form is more common and has been described in Shar Pei dogs, Bulldogs and the Pug (Dvir and others 2003, Rahal and others 2003, Keeley and others 2008). Acquired type I hernias have been reported in dogs and cats and are generally a result of a traumatic event or severe upper respiratory disease, such as diaphragmatic rupture, brachycephalic upper airway syndrome or laryngeal paralysis (Auger and Riley 1997, Pratschke and others 1998).…”

Congenital oesophageal hiatal hernia in a pug

“…Fluoroscopy after oral administration of barium paste is one of the most reliable means of detecting intermittent hiatal hernia and assessing oesophageal motility [12]. The use of abdominal ultrasonography has also been reported as an additional aid in the diagnosis of hiatal herniation [7] and does not carry the risk of aspiration associated with the use of contrast material in a potentially dysphagic or regurgitating patient.…”