Guttural Pouch Mycosis: A Three-Step Therapeutic Approach

• Published in: Veterinary sciences Vol. 11; no. 1; p. 41
• Main Author: Lepage, Olivier M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01.01.2024; MDPI
• Subjects: Carotid arteries; Carotid artery; Cerebral blood flow; common carotid artery ligation; Communication; Cranial nerves; Diagnosis; Embolization; Endoscopy; Epistaxis; equine; Fungal infections; Guttural pouch; Hemorrhage; Inflammation; Ischemia; Mycoses; Mycosis; Skull; Surgeons; Surgery; Surgical clinics; topical oxygen therapy; trans-arterial coil embolization; Vascularization; Veins & arteries; guttural pouch; trans-arterial coil embolization; common carotid artery ligation; endoscopy; epistaxis; equine; topical oxygen therapy
• ISSN: 2306-7381; 2306-7381
• DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11010041

The temporary ligation of the common carotid artery is performed as an emergency aid in cases of guttural pouch mycosis. Its usefulness is put into perspective after an anatomical summary of arterial vascularization involving a guttural pouch. It helps to better understand the need for the cranial (cerebral) and caudal (cardiac) occlusion of an arterial rupture by embolization in order to achieve maximum success in preventing and treating an hemorrhage. Topical oxygen therapy used alone or in a multimodal approach with embolization surgery is performed to promote healing of the inflammatory and mycotic lesions observed when an individual is affected. In conclusion, this three-step therapeutic approach should enable the equine practitioner to better orient their decision tree when faced with this condition which, while rare, can be potentially fatal if poorly treated.