Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery Q&A 10

This question was provided by Manson Publishing as part of the OVAL Project. See more Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery Q&A.

A mass in the naso- and oropharyngeal region in a 11-month-old cat is shown.

Question	Answer		Article
What would be the predominant clinical sign?	Chronic rhinitis.		Link to Article
What is the diagnosis and why is it often misdiagnosed?	Nasopharyngeal polyp. The common misdiagnosis is viral upper respiratory infection. Usually viral infections resolve with time and appropriate supportive care. When symptomatic therapy is discontinued in patients with a nasopharyngeal polyp, the clinical signs recur.		Link to Article
What diagnostic tests should be performed to determine the extent of the lesion?	Nasopharyngeal polyps originate in the dorsomedial compartment of the tympanic bulla. The lesion may extend down the Eustachian tube to enter the nasopharynx or up the external ear canal. Otoscopic examination and bulla radiographic series aid in assessing the invasiveness of the polyp. The pharyngeal and aural components may be avulsed manually and removed. However, if there is radiographic evidence of a soft tissue mass in the bulla, exploratory ventral bulla osteotomy is indicated. Surgery for nasopharyngeal polyp may be associated with transient ipsilateral Horner’s syndrome.		Link to Article