Maybe we should start offering it.....

JVIM 2025

Jessica Milne | Sophie Ekkebus | Daniel Thompson | Robert Brash

Background
Nasal masses in cats and dogs are frequently malignant, with high diagnostic challenges using traditional methods such as blind and rhinoscopic biopsies, which have reported diagnostic rates of 54% to 83%. This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy, safety, and clinical utility of computed tomography (CT)-guided Tru-Cut biopsies in identifying nasal neoplasia and other conditions.

Methods
A retrospective, single-center study analyzed data from 16 dogs and 14 cats that underwent CT-guided Tru-Cut biopsies for nasal cavity masses between 2022 and 2024. Diagnostic imaging and pathology results were reviewed. Procedural complications, diagnostic rates, and histopathological findings were recorded. Samples were classified as diagnostic or nondiagnostic based on histopathological findings.

Results
Diagnostic Yield:
-93% of samples (28/30) were diagnostic.
-Neoplasia was confirmed in 80% of cases (24/30), with diagnoses including carcinoma/adenocarcinoma (47%), lymphoma (17%), chondrosarcoma (7%), and others.

Animal-Specific Outcomes:
-Dogs: 14/16 (88%) had nasal neoplasia.
-Cats: 10/14 (71%) had nasal neoplasia.

Complications:
-Minor epistaxis occurred in 38% of cases.
-No major complications or neurological deficits were reported, even in cases with cribriform plate lysis.

Procedure Advantages:
-Accurate needle placement ensured diagnostic samples, particularly for challenging or inaccessible masses.
-Improved initial diagnostic rates compared to traditional biopsy methods.

Limitations
The study was retrospective and single-center, with variability in anesthesia protocols and biopsy techniques. A relatively small sample size limited statistical generalizability. Follow-up necropsy data were unavailable for some cases, potentially underestimating neoplasia prevalence.

Conclusions
CT-guided Tru-Cut biopsies are a safe, effective diagnostic tool for nasal masses in cats and dogs, providing superior diagnostic rates compared to conventional methods. This technique is recommended for cases where rhinoscopy or blind biopsies are insufficient, especially for deep or small lesions. Further studies are needed to compare this method directly with other techniques and validate long-term outcomes.

Postcontrast medium frequency sagittal image (A) showing a homogeneously enhancing soft tissue mass (asterisks) within thecaudoventral nasal cavity and rostral nasopharynx of a cat. High-frequency sagittal reconstructions during separate CT-guided biopsies (B and C)show the specimen notch orientated dorsally and ventrally respectively (white arrowheads). The final diagnosis based on these samples wascarcinoma.4 of 8 MILNE ET AL .

How did we do?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Disclaimer: The summary generated in this email was created by an AI large language model. Therefore errors may occur. Reading the article is the best way to understand the scholarly work. The figure presented here remains the property of the publisher or author and subject to the applicable copyright agreement. It is reproduced here as an educational work. If you have any questions or concerns about the work presented here, reply to this email.