Use of a balloon-expandable metallic stent for treatment of nasopharyngeal stenosis in dogs and cats: six cases (2005–2007)

Abstract

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.

Use of a novel surgical approach for treatment of complete bilateral membranous choanal atresia in an alpaca cria

“…28 However, a higher complication rate (including granulation tissue formation, excoriation or erosion of the nares, premature extrusion, and stent dislodgement or blockage) was found for patients that had stents placed. 24,28 In the cria of the present report, stent occlusion with mucus developed repeatedly after surgery and required intensive nursing care, including serial nebulization of a solution of acetylcysteine diluted in distilled water and aspiration of mucus with a medical suction device. The duration of nasal stenting following choanal atresia repair reported in the literature varies from 14 to 27 days in camelids 17,18 and from 2 days to 4 weeks in people.…”

“…Perforation and dilation of each choanal membrane required endoscopic visualization and included a balloon-dilation technique similar to those described in recent human and small animal studies. 23,24 Reported advantages of balloon-dilation techniques include the application of stable radial forces as opposed to shearing linear forces encountered during rigid dilation methods. 23 Nevertheless, bilateral obstruction occurred 3 days after surgery in the present case, which necessitated a revision procedure.…”

Successful treatment of a dog with recurrent nasopharyngeal stenosis using balloon dilation and a novel topical mitomycin delivery system

“…In another study, mitomycin was applied topically after balloon dilation in a dog with recurrent nasopharyngeal stenosis and tissue ingrowth through a previously placed balloon-expandable stent 2. The mitomycin was infused through a catheter to the newly dilated area; there was no description of efforts to isolate the infusate to ensure continuous focal, circumferential contact of the drug 2. Additionally, the site was flushed with saline after a five-minute dwell time.…”

Palatal erosion and oronasal fistulation following covered nasopharyngeal stent placement in two dogs

“…Nasopharyngeal stenosis secondary to regurgitation of gastric contents during anesthesia has rarely been reported in dogs [1,2]. Clinical signs associated with stenosis of the nasopharynx can be severe and the quality of life for affected animals is substantially compromised.…”

“…Clinical signs associated with stenosis of the nasopharynx can be severe and the quality of life for affected animals is substantially compromised. Historically, attempts to alleviate this condition with surgery, endoscopic ballooning or laser ablation have been variably successful, and may in fact trigger progression from partial stenosis to complete occlusion [1,3-5]. …”