Fluoroscopic evaluation of laryngopharyngeal anatomic variations attributable to head posture in dogs

Abstract OBJECTIVE To fluoroscopically evaluate the effects of head posture and sedation on laryngopharyngeal anatomic structures in dogs. ANIMALS 6 clinically normal Beagles (mean age, 6.2 years; mean weight, 10.4 kg). PROCEDURES Each dog was sedated placed right lateral recumbency, fluoroscopic examinations were performed with flexed, neutral, extended postures (FHP, NHP, EHP, respectively). During 3 respiratory cycles, angle between basisphenoid bone nasopharyngeal dorsal border (ABN), thickness soft palate, diameter lumen (DNL), overlapping length epiglottis distance tympanic bulla (DET) measured percentage difference DNL (PDNLD) during a cycle calculated. RESULTS For FHP, median ABN 91.50° (interquartile range [IQR], 86.75° to 95.00°), 125.00° (IQR, 124.50° 125.50°), 160.00° 163.50°), respectively, no significant differences angle. DET significantly decreased, compared values for palette increased. minimal increased, palate NHP. The PDNLD increased decreased FHP Sedation did not affect upper airway structure changes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that affected Fluoroscopic examination tract should be an NHP minimize posture-induced changes measurements.