The role of ultrasound in the assessment of laryngeal paralysis in the dog

Forty dogs with clinical signs suggestive of upper respiratory tract diseas e underwent echolaryngography and laryngoscopy. Laryngoscopy was used as th e definitive technique to diagnose laryngeal paralysis. The ultrasound inve stigation accurately indicated the presence of the paralysis and confirmed the uni- or bilateral nature of the disorder. Findings indicative or laryng eal paralysis included asymmetry or absence of motion of the cuneiform proc esses (30/30), abnormal arytenoid movement (16/30), paradoxical movement (9 /30), caudal displacement of the larynx (2/30) and laryngeal collapse (1/30 ). Thirty dogs were found to be afflicted with laryngeal paralysis and ten had normal laryngeal motility.