Total laryngectomy in a cat with a laryngeal peripheral nerve sheath tumor

Abstract

Objective To report the surgical technique and outcome of total laryngectomy in a single clinical case. Study Design Case report. Animal A 5‐year‐old female spayed domestic shorthair cat. Methods A cat presented for acute, severe respiratory distress caused by an invasive laryngeal mass. Incisional biopsy was indicative of sarcoma. Computed tomography of head, neck, and thorax was performed revealing no evidence of metastasis. A total laryngectomy and permanent tracheostomy were performed, and the cat could breathe without difficulties immediately postoperatively. Histopathology confirmed a laryngeal low‐grade peripheral nerve sheath tumor (PNST). Results Surgical margins were free of tumor cells. Surgical revision of the tracheostomy stoma due to obstructive granulation tissue was necessary 24 days after the initial surgery. Nine days after revision surgery, the cat was discharged from the hospital. No evidence of local recurrence or metastasis was detected on repeat computed tomography of the head, neck, and thorax at 6 months, nor on chest radiographs at 12 months postoperatively. At the time of writing (13 months postoperatively), the cat is still alive with a good quality of life. Conclusion Total laryngectomy with permanent tracheostomy allowed the complete removal of an obstructive laryngeal PNST and provided a good quality of life in a cat. Clinical Significance To the authors' knowledge, this case report represents the first detailed description of the surgical procedure and clinical outcome for a total laryngectomy in a cat.

Surgical management of a laryngeal rhabdomyosarcoma in a cat

“…Laryngeal mass lesions currently reported in the feline literature include squamous cell carcinoma, lymphoma, inflammatory laryngeal disease, adenocarcinoma, peripheral nerve sheath tumour, lymphoid hyperplasia and cysts. [2][3][4][5][6][7] There is currently one reported case of a laryngeal RMS in a dog, which was diagnosed on necropsy. 8 This case drew similarities with previously reported cases of laryngeal disease in cats.…”

CT measurements of tracheal diameter and length in normocephalic cats

“…[1][2][3] Some of these surgeries, particularly in the case of tracheostomy, are associated with a high rate of complications. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Tracheal surgery techniques have been developed primarily for dogs. These techniques were then translated and adapted to cats under the assumption that the tracheal anatomy is comparable between the two species.…”

“… 1 – 3 Some of these surgeries, particularly in the case of tracheostomy, are associated with a high rate of complications. 4 – 11 …”

Comparison of the Trachea in Normocephalic versus Brachycephalic Cats on the Basis of CT-Derived Measurements

“…Feline tracheal hypoplasia, an underdevelopment of the trachea, has been rarely reported and was described in association with mucopolysaccharidosis in only one case report [2]. More frequently observed in cats is dynamic tracheal collapse, which can result from congenital malformation of the cartilage [3,4], upper airway obstruction or neoplasia in the wall or lumen, or as a complication associated with permanent tracheostomy [5][6][7][8][9][10].…”

“…However, due to its small size, the feline trachea may not allow for adequate ventilation around the tube in case of occlusion [19,21]. In addition to tracheal obstruction due to massive secretion, other reported complications include stricture, focal tracheal collapse, pneumonia, swelling at the surgery site, and pulmonary oedema [8,[22][23][24], resulting in a high associated mortality rate [1,[22][23][24]. There is little doubt, in the authors' opinion, that improving the safety of tracheostomies in cats requires a better knowledge of the tracheal anatomy.…”