Feline Medicine Q&A 19
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This question was provided by Manson Publishing as part of the OVAL Project. See more Feline Medicine questions |
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This intra-oral nasal radiograph is from an 11-year-old neutered male DSH cat.
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| What abnormalities can be seen radiographically? | The radiograph demonstrates a relatively normal appearance to the left nasal chamber with the turbinate structure still being visible. There appears to be a mild increase in soft-tissue density on the left side, particularly rostrally, and the external nares are not clearly visible suggesting some nasal discharge in and from this side. The right nasal cavity has a marked diffuse increase in soft tissue density along with loss of most of the normally visible turbinate structures. This is consistent with turbinate destruction and an expansive soft tissue mass which is most likely to be neoplastic. Granulomatous fungal rhinitis or destructive rhinitis with inspissated fluid/pus would also be possible but less likely. |
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| What is the likely diagnosis and how would this be confirmed? | The likely diagnosis in this case is nasal neoplasia, primarily affecting the right nasal cavity, with possible extension to, or reaction in, the left nasal chamber. The diagnosis would be best confirmed by nasal biopsy (guided via rhinoscopy or blind) using suction-catheter or grab-forceps techniques. The two most common nasal tumours in cats are lymphoma and adenocarcinoma. Radiotherapy may be an option for both tumours (lymphoma generally responding very well) and chemotherapy would also be an option for lymphoma. |
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| What clinical signs is the cat likely to be showing? | The cat would be likely to be showing progressive signs of inspiratory dyspnoea, stertor, nasal discharge, and sneezing. Severe dyspnoea may cause inappetence and weight loss. Local expansion of a tumour mass may cause facial distortion, and this is important to assess during clinical examination along with any distortion to the hard palate and enlargement of regional lymph nodes. |
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