Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Nasopharyngeal cryptococcosis.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 1997
- Authors:
- Malik, R et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences · United Kingdom
Plain-English summary
This study looked at a rare fungal infection called cryptococcosis in five cats, one dog, and a koala, all of which had issues in their nasopharynx (the area behind the nose and above the throat). The main problems included snoring, noisy breathing, and trouble breathing in some cases. Diagnoses were made using special tools to look inside the nose and throat, and all the animals had some level of nasal infection as well. Treatment involved removing the growths causing the blockage and then giving antifungal medication to clear up any remaining infection. Overall, the treatment was effective in addressing the issues caused by the infection.
Abstract
Naturally occurring cryptococcosis in five cats, a dog and a koala is described. Involvement of the nasopharynx was documented in all patients, and nasopharyngeal mass lesions accounted for the major presenting complaints in four. Signs referable to nasopharyngeal disease included snoring, stertor, inspiratory dyspnoea and aerophagia. Diagnoses were made by caudal rhinoscopy using a retroverted flexible endoscope, vigorous orthograde flushing with saline, or at necropsy. Concurrent cryptococcal rhinitis was present in all cases, although involvement appeared limited to the caudal nasal cavity in most cases. Typical signs of nasal cavity disease, such as sneezing and nasal discharge, were often absent. Treatment of nasopharyngeal cryptococcosis should include physical dislodgement or debulking of lesion(s) to provide immediate alleviation of upper airway obstruction, followed by systemic antifungal therapy to eliminate residual infection from the nasal cavity. Infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans var gattii accounted for a disproportionately large number of these cases.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9258419/