Distribution of topical agents in the frontal sinuses and nasal cavity of dogs: comparison between current protocols for treatment of nasal aspergillosis and a new noninvasive technique.

To document and compare patterns of distribution of topically applied antifungal medication, heads from 42 canine cadavers were assigned to seven treatment groups which included two current surgical treatment protocols for nasal aspergillosis, and a new, noninvasive method. Catheters (8 Fr) were placed through trephine holes into the frontal sinuses and nasal cavity. Dilute dye was injected through the catheters and the heads were sectioned sagittally. The administration of 5 mL of dye into the lateral frontal sinus and nasal cavity (group IA, 10 mL total) was compared with 25 mL injected through catheters placed bilaterally in the lateral frontal sinus and nasal cavity (group II, 100 mL total). Both were compared with the administration of 50 mL of dye through a catheter placed in the dorsal nasal meatus via each nostril (group III). The heads in group III had significantly (P < .05) better dye distribution to all cavities than group IA and better distribution to the rostral frontal sinus than group II. Groups IV to VI were designed to show the pattern of distribution of dye to the contralateral nasal cavity and frontal sinuses. In all groups, dye injected into the lateral frontal sinus did not cross into the ipsilateral rostral frontal sinus or vice versa unless the transverse septum dividing the compartments had been penetrated during trephination.