Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
CT-guided nasal biopsies in dogs and cats with masses
By Milne, Jessica et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2025·Davies Veterinary Specialists, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Retrospective evaluation of computed tomographic-guided Tru-Cut biopsies in 16 dogs and 14 cats with nasal cavity mass lesions.
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old Beagle was brought in for a nasal mass that was causing breathing problems. The veterinarian performed a CT-guided Tru-Cut biopsy, which is a special procedure to take a sample from the mass. This method successfully diagnosed cancer in 88% of the dogs tested, including this Beagle, without causing any significant complications. The biopsy results helped the vet determine the best treatment plan for the dog.
People also search for: dog nasal mass biopsy · Beagle breathing problems · CT-guided biopsy for dogs · dog nasal cancer treatment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Approximately 80% of nasal masses in dogs and 91% of nasal masses in cats are reported to be malignant, but the currently reported diagnostic rate of neoplasia is 54% using blind or rhinoscopic biopsy techniques. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Describe the technique of computed tomography (CT)-guided Tru-Cut (Tru-Cut biopsy needle, Merit Medical Systems, Utah, USA) nasal biopsies in cats and dogs to determine the diagnostic rate of neoplasia on the first round of sampling and to evaluate the safety of the technique. ANIMALS: Thirty client-owned animals, 16 dogs and 14 cats, that had CT-guided nasal biopsies performed to investigate nasal masses. METHODS: Retrospective, single-center, medical record review of 16 dogs and 14 cats that had CT-guided nasal biopsies performed between 2022 and 2024. RESULTS: Diagnostic biopsy samples were acquired using CT-guided Tru-Cut sampling in 28/30 cases (93%). The diagnosis was considered clinically appropriate in 26/30 cases (87%): neoplasia in 24/30 cases (80%) and rhinitis in 2/30 cases (7%). Neoplasia was the final diagnosis in 14/16 dogs (88%) and 10/14 cats (71%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Computed tomographic-guided Tru-Cut biopsies can result in a high first-round diagnosis of neoplasia in nasal masses in cats and dogs, without clinically relevant complications. This technique is a useful alternative method of sampling nasal masses that may be difficult to access via rhinoscopy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39739338/