An Unusual Case of Acquired Nasopharyngeal Stenosis Associated with Chronic Displaced Skull Fractures in a Cat

A 3-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat was referred for bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge, marked stertor, sneezing, and reverse sneezing that, according to the owner, developed immediately after a road traffic accident about one year earlier. Clinical signs had shown mild, transient improvement during repeated courses of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory treatment. Computed tomography revealed multiple chronic comminuted skull fractures with smooth, sclerotic margins. Displaced fracture fragments were associated with marked narrowing of the rostral nasopharynx, with a minimum luminal diameter of 1.5 mm. Retroflexed nasopharyngoscopy identified a fixed, concentric stenosis that could not be traversed with a 3.5 mm endoscope. A deflated 10 mm balloon catheter was advanced antegrade across the lesion; seven inflations produced minimal luminal enlargement and no clinically meaningful improvement. Brush cytology showed predominantly neutrophilic inflammation, and bacterial culture was negative. Stertor persisted despite oral prednisolone, while nasal discharge recurred after treatment. At reassessment 1 month later, the clinical condition was unchanged; repeat imaging and endoscopy were declined.

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Publication Details

Journal
Veterinary Sciences
Published
2026-11-03
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13111188
Primary Topic
Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
Type
article
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article

An Unusual Case of Acquired Nasopharyngeal Stenosis Associated with Chronic Displaced Skull Fractures in a Cat

Michela Pugliese, Mario Pultrone, Michele Occhiuzzi, Gaudenzio Massa
Veterinary Sciences
Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
article

An Unusual Case of Acquired Nasopharyngeal Stenosis Associated with Chronic Displaced Skull Fractures in a Cat

Michela Pugliese, Mario Pultrone, Michele Occhiuzzi, Gaudenzio Massa
article en

Abstract

A 3-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat was referred for bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge, marked stertor, sneezing, and reverse sneezing that, according to the owner, developed immediately after a road traffic accident about one year earlier. Clinical signs had shown mild, transient improvement during repeated courses of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory treatment. Computed tomography revealed multiple chronic comminuted skull fractures with smooth, sclerotic margins. Displaced fracture fragments were associated with marked narrowing of the rostral nasopharynx, with a minimum luminal diameter of 1.5 mm. Retroflexed nasopharyngoscopy identified a fixed, concentric stenosis that could not be traversed with a 3.5 mm endoscope. A deflated 10 mm balloon catheter was advanced antegrade across the lesion; seven inflations produced minimal luminal enlargement and no clinically meaningful improvement. Brush cytology showed predominantly neutrophilic inflammation, and bacterial culture was negative. Stertor persisted despite oral prednisolone, while nasal discharge recurred after treatment. At reassessment 1 month later, the clinical condition was unchanged; repeat imaging and endoscopy were declined.

Veterinary SciencesVol. 13(11)
University of Messina (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
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An Unusual Case of Acquired Nasopharyngeal Stenosis Associated with Chronic Displaced Skull Fractures in a Cat — Michela Pugliese, Mario Pultrone, et al. · Veterinary Sciences (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS