Case Study

CT – Bilateral Rhinitis with Mild Non-Aggressive Conchal Lysis in a M Labrador Retriever dog

History of reverse sneezing for about 6 weeks. On July 12th, the patient presented to his rDVM because for a reddened right eye. The eye appeared to respond and improve with ophthalmic drops. On July 16th, recheck done for a swelling on the nasal planum. He was prescribed baytril and metacam but the swelling was non-responsive; appeared to be some imporvement with diphenhydramine. Nasal endoscopy in late July indicated thickened right nasal tissue, no foreign objects noted; a nasal flush was performed. Epistaxis. BAR at home, eating and drinking.

Physical Exam: BAR; BCS of 5/9. Eyes and ears both retropulese normally, and nose appeared normal with some dried crusts at tip of right nare. Minimal tartar, the gums were pink moist, crt 2 secs. Heart and lungs auscult normally. Abdominal palpation soft and non painful. Partial neurological exam WNL. Peripheral lymph nodes WNL. CBC ad chemistry WNL.

DX

The findings are compatible with mild bilateral rhinitis associated with mild nonaggressive conchal lysis on the right side. A chronic infectious – such as viral and/or bacterial or parasitic – rhinitis is most likley. A foreign body associated rhinitis with focal conchal destruction is a potential differential diagnosis but not very likely since the previous rhinoscopy was negative in this regard. There were no signs specific for fungal rhinitis or neoplasia. Mild bilateral signs of healed otitis externa were evident.

Image Interpretation

CT of the head, plain and post contrast – There was minor and even swelling of the mucosal lining of the nasal concha within
the rostral third of both nasal cavities. The right nasal cavity presented mild conchal
lysis.
The regional lymph nodes were within normal limits regarding size, shape, attenuation
and contrast enhancement.
Within the medial aspect of both horizontal acoustic canals mild circumferential wall
thickening was noted.