A study of an electrodiagnostic technique for the evaluation of equine recurrent laryngeal neuropathy

C Hawe*, PM Dixon, IG Mayhew

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The electrodiagnostic measurement of the thoracolaryngeal reflex (TLR) ('slap test') latency was compared to 5 other diagnostic techniques used for evaluation of laryngeal function, namely laryngeal muscle palpation, resting and immediately postexercise endoscopic examinations, and palpable and endoscopic responses to the TLR. Compared to resting endoscopy, the electrodiagnostic measurement of TLR latency was not found to be an accurate test for the evaluation of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN), nor was laryngeal muscle palpation or the endoscopic response to the TLR. Twenty-five (71%) of 35 Clydesdale horses examined were affected by RLN; 16 (46%) had mild, 5 (14%) moderate, 3 (9%) severe hemiparesis and 1 (3%) had total laryngeal paralysis. Within these 35 horses, physical traits such as height or neck length did not correlate with the incidence or severity of RLN. Ten control ponies showed no evidence of abnormal laryngeal function.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)459-465
Number of pages7
JournalEquine Veterinary Journal
Volume33
Issue number5
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2001

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • horse
  • Clydesdale
  • diagnosis of laryngeal paralysis
  • recurrent laryngeal neuropathy
  • electrolaryngeogram
  • HORSES
  • NERVE
  • HEMIPLEGIA
  • EXERCISE

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A study of an electrodiagnostic technique for the evaluation of equine recurrent laryngeal neuropathy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this