Dacryocystography in a cat with orbital pneumatosis

Abstract

A 2-year-old neutered male European short-haired cat was presented for a persistent discharge from the scar of previous left eye enucleation, performed 6 months prior by the referring veterinarian. A surgical exploration of the orbit was performed and retained nictitating membrane glandular and conjunctival tissues were removed. Eleven days later, the cat developed an orbital pneumatosis caused by retrograde movement of air through a patent nasolacrimal system and diagnosed by survey radiographic examination of the skull. Nasolacrimal system patency was assessed by dacryocystography performed by injection of iodinated contrast medium under pressure into the orbital cavity. Computed tomography dacryocystography confirmed the radiographic findings. The condition resolved following dacryocystography, possibly as an inflammatory response to the contrast medium. To our knowledge, this is the first case of orbital pneumatosis reported in a cat.

Pneumatosis of the intestines, colon and liver in a young cat

“…2011) and the orbit in the other (Meomartino et al . 2015). In both cases, the pneumatosis occurred as a post‐operative complication.…”

“…In the second case, a 2‐year‐old neutered male domestic short‐haired cat was diagnosed with orbital pneumatosis secondary to a patent nasolacrimal duct following enucleation (Meomartino et al . 2015). Interestingly, pneumatosis appears to be most common in human adults whereas in veterinary medicine, young patients, such as the one presented in this case report, are most commonly affected.…”

Iris melanoma associated with unilateral phthisis bulbi in a 13-year-old domestic shorthair female cat

“…Orbital emphysema is a rare complication caused by retrograde movement of air through a patent nasolacrimal system (Meomartino et al. 2015).…”