Use of a balloon-expandable metallic stent for treatment of nasopharyngeal stenosis in dogs and cats: six cases (2005-2007).
OBJECTIVE
To determine outcome associated with use of a balloon-expandable metallic stent for treatment of nasopharyngeal stenosis in dogs and cats.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
3 dogs and 3 cats.


METHODS
All 6 animals had severe inspiratory stertor at initial examination. Two animals had no orifice present at the stenosis. Nasopharyngeal stenosis was diagnosed and stent size determined by use of computed tomography. A percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloon premounted with a balloon-expandable metallic stent was placed over a guidewire, advanced through the stenotic lesion under fluoroscopic and rhinoscopic guidance, and dilated to restore patency.


RESULTS
All animals had immediate resolution of clinical signs after stent placement. The procedure took a median of 38 minutes (range, 22 to 70 minutes). One animal with a stenosis located far caudally needed the tip of the stent resected because of hairball entrapment and exaggerated swallowing. Both animals without an orifice in the stenosis had tissue in-growth requiring a covered stent. All animals were reexamined 6 to 12 weeks after treatment via rhinoscopy, radiography, computed tomography, or a combination of techniques. All animals lacked signs of discomfort; 5 of 6 were breathing normally 12 to 28 months after the procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
Transnasal balloon-expandable metallic stent placement may represent a rapid, safe, noninvasive, and effective treatment in animals with nasopharyngeal stenosis. If the stenosis is extremely caudal in the nasopharynx, serial balloon dilatation might be considered prior to stent placement. A covered stent should be considered initially if the stenosis is completely closed.
Berent
Allyson C
AC
Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Weisse
Chick
C
Todd
Kimberly
K
Rondeau
Mark P
MP
Reiter
Alexander M
AM
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D002415:Cats; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D009302:Nasopharyngeal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents / Q000662:veterinary*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome