Use of CT to evaluate and compare intranasal features in brachycephalic and normocephalic dogs

Abstract

Nasal mucosal contact and caudal aberrant nasal turbinates were significantly more prevalent in brachycephalic dogs than in normocephalic dogs in our study. Computed tomography can be a valuable aid in obtaining data on nasal mucosal contact, caudal aberrant nasal turbinates and septal deviations. Combination of computed tomography with endoscopy and functional airway testing would be useful to further evaluate the correlation between intranasal features and symptoms of brachycephalic airway syndrome.

Objective effectiveness of and indications for laser‐assisted turbinectomy in brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome

“…However, all pugs in this study had some degree of nasal septal deviation, whereas this finding was rare in bulldogs included here. One study found no difference in the prevalence of septal deviations between brachycephalic dogs and normocephalic dogs . In man, deviation of the nasal septum is a common cause of nasal obstruction but often remains asymptomatic.…”

“…These characteristics complement the description of lesions in BOAS and led to the development of surgical treatment options. These intranasal abnormalities are highly prevalent in brachycephalic dogs, and some of these lesions have been found in asymptomatic brachycephalic dogs as well as mesaticephalic dogs . The role of these intranasal abnormalities as indications for LATE remains unclear.…”

“…In the first descriptions of LATE, the increased number of mucosal contact points was linked to the severity of intranasal obstruction and was used as an indication for LATE . In our experience, consistent quantitation of intranasal mucosal contact points is challenging during initial examination.…”

“…Moreover, only the rostral nasal cavity was visible in rhinoscopy because the 1.9‐mm rhinoscope often could not be passed through the compressed turbinates. We also failed to calculate the mucosal contact points on computed tomography (CT) images corresponding to the rhinoscopic images because the mucosa is too thin to be visualized correctly on CT. Thus, we documented all the previously reported intranasal abnormalities in this study except for intranasal mucosal contact points.…”

Endotracheal tube placement during computed tomography of brachycephalic dogs alters upper airway dimensional measurements

“…Imaging is used to support the diagnosis of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome by documenting obstructive tissue or areas of airway narrowing, and increasingly, advanced imaging such as computed tomography (CT) is often used as part of the diagnostic protocol. Computed tomography of the head and neck is used to document lesions such as a long and thickened soft palate , abnormally positioned turbinates (rostral or caudal aberrant turbinates), nasopharyngeal narrowing, laryngeal dimensions, and tracheal hypoplasia . The use of CT allows the thoracic cavity to be assessed and may reveal aspiration pneumonia secondary to regurgitation, bronchial collapse, esophageal thickening, or hiatal hernia.…”