Case Report: Laryngeal web in a Yorkshire Terrier

Abstract

The laryngeal web is a congenital or acquired, abnormal transverse membrane, most commonly between the free edges of the vocal cords. Ensuing glottic stenosis may be asymptomatic or, in some cases, can lead to vocal and respiratory signs, such as dysphonia, stridor, and dyspnoea. Here, we describe a rare case of a laryngeal web in a Yorkshire Terrier presented with atypical clinical signs, including dysphonia, flatulence, and halitosis. Following a reasonable exclusion of an initial concern of laryngeal neoplasia and given the diagnosis of a congenital laryngeal web, the owners elected not to pursue surgical treatment. The dog's clinical signs remained unchanged with no development of new respiratory signs for over 4 years post-diagnosis. The findings presented herein highlight the importance of considering the laryngeal web as a rare but possible differential diagnosis for dysphonia and emphasise the need to establish specific individual selection criteria for surgical and medical treatments for dogs affected with this laryngeal anomaly.

Keywords: airways; congenital; dog; laryngeal web; larynx; ventriculocordectomy.

Figure 1

Schematic representation of a normal canine larynx (left) and one with a congenital web anomaly (right). The ventrolateral margins of the rima glottis of a normal canine larynx are bordered by the free edges of the vocal folds (arrows). A congenital laryngeal web defect (arrowheads) has replaced the normal free margins of the vocal folds (dotted lines), leading to a stenotic rima glottis (asterisks).

Figure 2

Endoscopic views of a canine larynx presenting a congenital web anomaly. (a) In the rostral view, the web defect (arrowheads) is visible caudal to the cuneiform processes (dotted line), aligned with the corniculate processes (asterisks) of the arytenoid cartilages. (b,c) Close-up views of the web anomaly during exhalation (b) and inhalation (c). During inhalation, the free edge of the membranous web is stretched as the larynx abducts (c). D, Dorsal. V, Ventral. Images were obtained with KARL STORZ SILVER SCOPE® Veterinary Video Endoscope (KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG, Tuttlingen, Germany).