Case Study

CT – Chronic non-specific rhinitis without destructive component in a dog

History of chronic bilateral mucoid nasal discharge, no improvement on antibiotics/steroids.

DX

Moderate chronic non-specific rhinitis without destructive component: left > right.

Image Interpretation

CT of the head, plain and post contrast – The skull conformation is typical for a brachycephalic dog. The frontal sinuses are not
developed. There is asymmetry of the nasal cavities. The soft palate is long and thick.
The base of the tongue is thick. The nasal fundus, naso- and oropharynx are narrow.
There is a moderate amount of non-enhancing hypoattenuating material accumulating
on the floor of both nasal cavities: left > right. Material with the same attenuation
behaviour is located within the nasal fundus and nasopharynx. Mild generalized
thickening of the nasal cavities mucosal linings is noted bilaterally. Destruction of the
nasal turbinates is not evident. There is no mass lesion or foreign body seen.

Outcome

A viral and/or bacterial rhinitis is most likely. There are no signs typical
of fungal rhinitis or neoplasia. The brachycephalic skull conformation
promotes development and preservation of upper respiratory tract infections in
general. Consider further workup with rhinoscopy and sampling.