Abstract:Summary
A 5‐year‐old pony presented with sudden onset of severe respiratory distress associated with tracheal rupture and peritracheal emphysema. Subsequent endoscopic examination revealed multiple mucosal nodules protruding into the tracheal lumen. Biopsy of the tracheal wall revealed well‐demarcated submucosal cartilagenous/osseous nodules. The appearance was considered to resemble tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica.
“…Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica has also been reported in a pony with acute onset tracheal collapse and rupture (Spanton et al . ). Endoscopic image of tracheal collapse due to congenitally abnormal tracheal cartilages.Trauma: Disruption of the tracheal cartilages can cause acute respiratory obstruction.…”
Summary
Respiratory distress due to acute upper respiratory tract obstruction is an uncommon emergency in equine practice. However, clinicians should be confident with the approach to this truly life‐threatening scenario. Clinical signs are obvious at rest and include increased respiratory effort, loud respiratory noise and recumbency as asphyxiation progresses. Many cases of upper respiratory tract obstruction involve the pharynx or larynx, though obstruction in other regions of the upper respiratory tract and other causes of respiratory distress should be considered. Generally, the obstruction can be bypassed by placing a nasotracheal tube under endoscopic guidance or by making a temporary tracheotomy to ensure a patent airway. Following this stabilisation, further investigation into the cause of airway obstruction can be performed. Endoscopy is usually the most valuable diagnostic tool, though other imaging modalities can be useful. Further empirical treatment is often required, though the specific management will vary depending on the pathology present.
“…Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica has also been reported in a pony with acute onset tracheal collapse and rupture (Spanton et al . ). Endoscopic image of tracheal collapse due to congenitally abnormal tracheal cartilages.Trauma: Disruption of the tracheal cartilages can cause acute respiratory obstruction.…”
Summary
Respiratory distress due to acute upper respiratory tract obstruction is an uncommon emergency in equine practice. However, clinicians should be confident with the approach to this truly life‐threatening scenario. Clinical signs are obvious at rest and include increased respiratory effort, loud respiratory noise and recumbency as asphyxiation progresses. Many cases of upper respiratory tract obstruction involve the pharynx or larynx, though obstruction in other regions of the upper respiratory tract and other causes of respiratory distress should be considered. Generally, the obstruction can be bypassed by placing a nasotracheal tube under endoscopic guidance or by making a temporary tracheotomy to ensure a patent airway. Following this stabilisation, further investigation into the cause of airway obstruction can be performed. Endoscopy is usually the most valuable diagnostic tool, though other imaging modalities can be useful. Further empirical treatment is often required, though the specific management will vary depending on the pathology present.
“…TO was described previously in a pony that suffered from a ruptured trachea, although it is not clear if the TO lesions caused the rupture or if the lesions were an incidental finding. 7 A case of TO in a dog was associated with exercise intolerance, tracheitis, and tracheal collapse. 6 In humans, TO is often diagnosed incidentally during autopsy examination.…”
A mature male grizzly bear ( Ursus arctos) that died of blunt-force trauma had numerous hard 1–3-mm nodules protruding from tracheal rings into the lumen of the distal trachea. Histologically, these were round aggregates of mature cartilage within the submucosa. Such lesions are consistent with tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica, a rare tracheal disease in humans and animals.
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