Intraluminal tracheal stenting for treatment of tracheal narrowing in three cats.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the use of intraluminal tracheal stenting in 3 cats with either benign or malignant tracheal obstruction.


METHODS
Retrospective clinical study.


METHODS
Three client-owned cats.


METHODS
Medical records were reviewed and information regarding signalment, clinical signs, physical examination findings, diagnostic tests performed, treatment, outcome and follow-up were retrieved. Intraluminal tracheal stent placement was performed as previously described in the literature.


RESULTS
Three cats received intraluminal tracheal stents for the treatment of tracheal obstruction due to 3 different underlying causes: stricture secondary to traumatic endotracheal intubation, stricture secondary to a previous tracheotomy, and neoplasia. Self-expanding metallic stents of varying sizes were placed, and all cats recovered uneventfully from the procedures. The cat with tracheal neoplasia was euthanized because of pulmonary metastatic disease 6 weeks post-stent placement. The two cats with tracheal obstructions secondary to benign strictures are currently 39 months and 32 weeks post-stent placement, respectively. No complications were noted during the post-stent period in any of the 3 cats.


CONCLUSIONS
Intraluminal tracheal stenting was easily, safely, and rapidly performed without complications and resulted in immediate improvement in clinical signs in all three cases. None of the cats in this study developed significant stent-associated complications during the study period.


CONCLUSIONS
Intraluminal tracheal stenting has the potential to be a viable option for the treatment of tracheal obstruction in cats and perhaps for similar disease processes in other veterinary patients.
Culp
William T N
WT
Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6010, USA. wculp@vet.upenn.edu
Weisse
Chick
C
Cole
Steven G
SG
Solomon
Jeffrey A
JA
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents / Q000662:veterinary*; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome