Tomography, Radiography, and Rhinoscopy in Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Lesions Affecting the Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses in Dogs: Comparative Study

• Published in: Topics in companion animal medicine Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 39 - 42
• Main Authors: Auler, Fernanda de Assis B., Torres, Luciana N., Pinto, Ana Carolina B.C.F., Unruh, Silvana M., Matera, Julia M., Stopiglia, Angelo J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-06-2015; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Age; Animal sciences; Animals; Colleges & universities; computed tomography; Diagnosis, Differential; Disease; Dog Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Dogs; Edema; Endoscopy; Endoscopy - veterinary; Female; Gender; Logistics; Male; nasal lesions; Nose; Nose Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Nose Diseases - veterinary; Paranasal Sinus Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Paranasal Sinus Diseases - veterinary; paranasal sinuses; Predictive Value of Tests; radiograghy; Radiography; Radiography - veterinary; Rhinoscopy; Sinuses; Tomography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - veterinary; Veterinary medicine; Zoology; computed tomography; radiograghy; nasal lesions; paranasal sinuses; Rhinoscopy
• ISSN: 1938-9736; 1946-9837; 1876-7613
• DOI: 10.1053/j.tcam.2015.06.002

Canine nasal and paranasal diseases have variable causes. Presumptive diagnosis is based on clinical manifestations; however, high similarity of clinical signs often calls for diagnostic imaging modalities and rhinoscopy before a definitive diagnosis can be reached. This study sets out to determine the value of rhinoscopy, radiography, and computed tomography (CT) of the head for canine nasal and paranasal disease diagnosis using a purposely developed comparative score. In all, 20 dogs presenting with clinical signs consistent with nasal disease were used. Patients were submitted to radiographic, CT, and rhinoscopic assessment; rhinoscopy-guided biopsy collection was performed in cases presenting with tissue proliferation, ulceration, or other nasal mucosal lesions. Rhinoscopy and rhinoscopy combined with CT significantly contributed to nasal disease diagnosis. Rhinoscopy and CT are complementary diagnostic modalities. Rhinoscopy proved helpful for confirmation of presumptive diagnosis and allowed image-assisted biopsy collection whereas CT contributed to effective determination of lesion extension and involvement of adjacent structures. Yet, histologic confirmation remains vital for definitive diagnosis.