Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Removing silicone stents to treat nasopharyngeal narrowing in cats
By De Lorenzi, Davide et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2015·Veterinary Hospital 'I Portoni Rossi' Zola Predosa, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Treatment of acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis using a removable silicone stent.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 15 cats with breathing difficulties, sneezing, and other symptoms related to acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis (a narrowing of the throat area) were treated with a removable silicone stent. After diagnosing the condition, vets used different methods to widen the narrowed area, including forceps and balloon dilatation. They then placed a silicone stent to keep the area open for a few weeks. After the stent was removed, all but one cat showed complete resolution of their symptoms, and the treatment was deemed effective and safe.
People also search for: cat breathing problems treatment · cat sneezing and vomiting · nasopharyngeal stenosis in cats · silicone stent for cats
Abstract
The aim of this prospective study was to characterise patient characteristics and the histories of cats with acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis (ANS), and to describe the use of a removable silicone stent for treatment. ANS was diagnosed in 15 cats with clinical signs present for a median of 4 months. Clinical signs included stertor and inspiratory difficulty, nasal discharge, sneezing, dysphagia, regurgitation, vomiting and anorexia. Radiographs revealed a dorsal deviation or deformation of the caudal part of the soft palate in 10 of the cats, a soft tissue density across the cranial nasopharynx in four and no abnormality in one. The stenosis was initially dilated with a Kelly forceps in 10 of the cats and by balloon dilatation in five. A segment of a 24 Fr silicone thoracic catheter was used for the stent in five cats; in the other 10 cats a segment of a 28 Fr catheter was used. The stent was removed after 3 weeks in 12 cats and after 4 weeks in the other three. Endoscopy revealed an adequate nasopharyngeal diameter in all of the cats. At both 3 and 10 months after surgery the response was considered to be satisfactory, with complete resolution of clinical signs in 14 cats and improvement in the remaining cat. The treatment of ANS by stenosis dilatation followed by temporary stenting with a silicone stent is a rapid, safe, economical and effective procedure.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24820997/