Balloon dilatation of nasopharyngeal stenosis in a dog

• Published in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Vol. 229; no. 3; pp. 385 - 388
• Main Authors: Berent, A.C, Kinns, J, Weisse, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-08-2006
• Subjects: Animals; balloon dilatation; breathing; case studies; Catheterization - methods; Catheterization - veterinary; Constriction, Pathologic - therapy; Constriction, Pathologic - veterinary; diagnostic techniques; disease course; disease detection; disease diagnosis; dog diseases; Dog Diseases - therapy; Dogs; drug therapy; Female; nasal cavity; Nasopharyngeal Diseases - therapy; Nasopharyngeal Diseases - veterinary; nasopharyngeal stenosis; nasopharynx; Postoperative Complications - veterinary; Recurrence; respiratory tract diseases; signs and symptoms (animals and humans); Treatment Outcome; triamcinolone
• ISSN: 0003-1488; 1943-569X
• DOI: 10.2460/javma.229.3.385

A dog was examined because of a 6-month history of upper airway stridor that began after postoperative regurgitation of gastric contents.
Constant stridor was evident during inspiration and expiration, although it was worse during inspiration. The stridor was no longer evident when the dog's mouth was manually held open. Computed tomography, rhinoscopy, and fluoroscopy were used to confirm a diagnosis of nasopharyngeal stenosis.
The dog was anesthetized, and balloon dilatation of the stenosis was performed. Prednisone was prescribed for 4 weeks after the procedure to decrease fibrous tissue formation. Although the dog was initially improved, signs recurred 3.5 weeks later, and balloon dilatation was repeated. This time, however, triamcinolone was injected into the area of stenosis at the end of the dilatation procedure. Two months later, although the dog did not have clinical signs of stridor, a third dilatation procedure was performed because mild stenosis was seen on follow-up computed tomographic images; again, triamcinolone was injected into the area of stenosis at the end of the dilatation procedure. Three and 6 months after the third dilatation procedure, the dog reportedly was clinically normal.
Findings suggest that balloon dilatation may be an effective treatment for nasopharyngeal stenosis in dogs.