LARYNGEAL HEMIPLEGIA IN HORSE - INTEREST OF ENDOSCOPY FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

The variations of the definition of laryngeal hemiplegia have plagued many studies conducted on the prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic laryngeal hemiplegia. The controversy associated with the diagnosis of laryngeal hemiplegia is related to errors or differences in the interpretation of endoscopic findings and to the conditions under which the examination is performed. A 4-tier system of classification is proposed, based on endoscopic examination at rest, before or after exercices. Because of experiences resulting from examination both at rest and during treadmill exercise (using video-endoscopy), we propose a classification which facilitates the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of horses with laryngeal hemiplegia.