Kang Kevin, Brash Robert
Davies Veterinary Specialists, Higham Gobion, UK.
J Feline Med Surg. 2025 Feb;27(2):1098612X241305932. doi: 10.1177/1098612X241305932.
CT is frequently utilised in the assessment of upper respiratory tract disorders. The aim of the present study was to further describe the CT features in cats with confirmed nasopharyngeal stenosis (NPS).
CT images of the heads of cats with NPS confirmed via retroflex nasopharyngoscopy between 2011 and 2023 were retrospectively reviewed to describe the imaging features of NPS and other concurrent findings.
In total, 12 cats were included. All but one cat had pre- and post-contrast images available. All CT studies demonstrated focal, abrupt narrowing of the nasopharyngeal lumen by a variably thickened, homogeneous, soft tissue attenuating band. One cat appeared to have two separate NPS, giving a total of 13 NPS. All NPS were located in the caudal third of the nasopharynx, which resulted in a marked reduction in the luminal cross-sectional area. The narrowing of the nasopharyngeal lumen was either concentric (11/13) or lateral-to-lateral (2/13). Mild homogeneous contrast enhancement of the soft tissue band was observed in 8/11 cats (73%). The soft palate was focally dorsally deviated at the NPS site in 8/12 cats (67%) and was best seen in the sagittal plane. Other concurrent findings included non-contrast-enhancing soft tissue attenuating material within the nasal cavity (7/12) and tympanic bullae (4/12), and mild medial retropharyngeal lymphadenomegaly (2/12).
The most frequently observed CT features in cats with NPS are marked, focal, abrupt narrowing of the nasopharyngeal lumen by a mildly contrast-enhancing soft tissue band in the caudal third of the nasopharynx and focal deviation of the soft palate dorsally at the NPS site. Identifying any of these CT features in the presence of compatible clinical signs should prompt further evaluation with retroflex nasopharyngoscopy to confirm the diagnosis of NPS and to direct appropriate treatment.
CT常用于上呼吸道疾病的评估。本研究的目的是进一步描述确诊为鼻咽狭窄（NPS）的猫的CT特征。
回顾性分析2011年至2023年间经逆行鼻咽镜检查确诊为NPS的猫的头部CT图像，以描述NPS的影像学特征和其他并发表现。
共纳入12只猫。除1只猫外，其余所有猫均有增强前和增强后的图像。所有CT研究均显示鼻咽腔有局灶性、突然变窄，由一条厚度可变、均匀、软组织密度的带所致。1只猫似乎有两个独立的NPS，共有13个NPS。所有NPS均位于鼻咽的尾侧三分之一处，导致管腔横截面积明显减小。鼻咽腔狭窄为同心性（11/13）或左右侧对侧（2/13）。8/11只猫（73%）观察到软组织带轻度均匀强化。8/12只猫（67%）软腭在NPS部位向背侧局灶性偏斜，在矢状面观察最佳。其他并发表现包括鼻腔内（7/12）和鼓泡内（4/12）无强化的软组织密度物质，以及轻度咽后内侧淋巴结肿大（2/12）。
NPS猫最常观察到的CT特征是鼻咽尾侧三分之一处有一条轻度强化的软组织带导致鼻咽腔明显、局灶性、突然变窄，以及软腭在NPS部位向背侧局灶性偏斜。在存在相容临床体征的情况下，识别这些CT特征中的任何一个都应促使进一步行逆行鼻咽镜检查以确诊NPS并指导适当治疗。
