Feline Nasopharyngeal Polyps

Klose TC, MacPhail CM, Schultheiss PC et al: Prevalence of select infectious agents in inflammatory aural and nasopharyngeal polyps from client-owned cats, J Feline Med Surg 12:769, 2010.

Feline inflammatory polyps are the most common non-neoplastic masses affecting the middle ear of cats. While these polyps can affect cats across all age ranges, they most commonly occur in younger cats. Polyps present in the middle ear result in chronic otitis externa, otitis media, or otitis interna with clinical signs such as nystagmus, head tilt, Horner’s syndrome and ataxia. When polyps extend into the nasopharynx, they cause chronic nasal discharge, dyspnea, dysphagia, stertor, and stridor. This study looked at the prevalence of feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV), Mycoplasma spp, Chlamydophila felis, and Bartonella spp. in samples collected from the ears of normal cats and inflammatory polyps submitted from client-owned cats. Samples were taken from 30 clinically affected and 12 clinically normal cats. All normal bulla samples yielded positive bacterial cultures, suggesting that the epithelium of the inner ear is routinely exposed to bacteria. The study failed to consistently amplify RNA or DNA of the select agents from the polyp tissue, suggesting that these agents were not directly associated with the pathogenesis of the inflammatory polyps studied in the cats tested. At this time, the cause of feline inflammatory polyps remains elusive and may be multi-factorial. [VT]

Related articles:

Kudnig ST: Nasopharyngeal polyps in cats, Clin Tech Small Anim Pract 17:174, 2002. 

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Klose TC, MacPhail CM, Schultheiss PC et al: Prevalence of select infectious agents in inflammatory aural and nasopharyngeal polyps from client-owned cats, J Feline Med Surg 12:769, 2010.

Feline inflammatory polyps are the most common non-neoplastic masses affecting the middle ear of cats. While these polyps can affect cats across all age ranges, they most commonly occur in younger cats. Polyps present in the middle ear result in chronic otitis externa, otitis media, or otitis interna with clinical signs such as nystagmus, head tilt, Horner’s syndrome and ataxia. When polyps extend into the nasopharynx, they cause chronic nasal discharge, dyspnea, dysphagia, stertor, and stridor. This study looked at the prevalence of feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV), Mycoplasma spp, Chlamydophila felis, and Bartonella spp. in samples collected from the ears of normal cats and inflammatory polyps submitted from client-owned cats. Samples were taken from 30 clinically affected and 12 clinically normal cats. All normal bulla samples yielded positive bacterial cultures, suggesting that the epithelium of the inner ear is routinely exposed to bacteria. The study failed to consistently amplify RNA or DNA of the select agents from the polyp tissue, suggesting that these agents were not directly associated with the pathogenesis of the inflammatory polyps studied in the cats tested. At this time, the cause of feline inflammatory polyps remains elusive and may be multi-factorial. [VT]

Related articles:

Kudnig ST: Nasopharyngeal polyps in cats, Clin Tech Small Anim Pract 17:174, 2002. 

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Join us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

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Nasopharyngeal Polyps in Cats

Anders, B. B., M. G. Hoelzler, et al. (2008). "Analysis of auditory and neurologic effects associated with ventral bulla osteotomy for removal of inflammatory polyps or nasopharyngeal masses in cats." J Am Vet Med Assoc 233(4): 580-5.

Inflammatory polyps are non-cancerous masses that develop in the nasopharynx, auditory tube, or middle ear. They are typically visualized within the ear canal or the pharynx. Most common in young cats, they are part of the differential diagnosis for upper respiratory tract signs and otitis. Clinical signs include nasal or otic discharge, swallowing difficulties, head tilt, nystagmus, sneezing, and Horner's syndrome. Treatment options include traction avulsion, and either lateral or ventral bulla osteotomy (VBO). Many authorities consider VBO to be the treatment of choice. Reported complications include Horner's syndrome, nerve deficits, damage to vascular tissues, and auditory damage. To date, information on how these masses affect hearing in cats and whether VBO can affect hearing has not been published. In this prospective case series, 17 cats met full inclusion criteria, and long term follow was available for 15 cats. Using BAER, 6 cats had deafness prior to surgery. No cat experienced a change in presurgical auditory status. Cats with deafness prior to surgery did not regain auditory function. In the immediate post-operative period, 11 cats developed short term Horner's syndrome. Polyp regrowth occurred in 1 cat. The authors conclude that VBO is unlikely to affect hearing in cats, and long term adverse effects, including polyp regrowth, are uncommon.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Kudnig, S. T. (2002). "Nasopharyngeal polyps in cats." Clin Tech Small Anim Pract 17(4): 174-7.
>> PubMed Abstract

Esterline, M., M. Radlinsky, et al. (2005). "Endoscopic removal of nasal polyps in a cat using a novel approach." J Fel Med Surg 7(2): 121-124.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Anders, B. B., M. G. Hoelzler, et al. (2008). "Analysis of auditory and neurologic effects associated with ventral bulla osteotomy for removal of inflammatory polyps or nasopharyngeal masses in cats." J Am Vet Med Assoc 233(4): 580-5.

Inflammatory polyps are non-cancerous masses that develop in the nasopharynx, auditory tube, or middle ear. They are typically visualized within the ear canal or the pharynx. Most common in young cats, they are part of the differential diagnosis for upper respiratory tract signs and otitis. Clinical signs include nasal or otic discharge, swallowing difficulties, head tilt, nystagmus, sneezing, and Horner's syndrome. Treatment options include traction avulsion, and either lateral or ventral bulla osteotomy (VBO). Many authorities consider VBO to be the treatment of choice. Reported complications include Horner's syndrome, nerve deficits, damage to vascular tissues, and auditory damage. To date, information on how these masses affect hearing in cats and whether VBO can affect hearing has not been published. In this prospective case series, 17 cats met full inclusion criteria, and long term follow was available for 15 cats. Using BAER, 6 cats had deafness prior to surgery. No cat experienced a change in presurgical auditory status. Cats with deafness prior to surgery did not regain auditory function. In the immediate post-operative period, 11 cats developed short term Horner's syndrome. Polyp regrowth occurred in 1 cat. The authors conclude that VBO is unlikely to affect hearing in cats, and long term adverse effects, including polyp regrowth, are uncommon.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Kudnig, S. T. (2002). "Nasopharyngeal polyps in cats." Clin Tech Small Anim Pract 17(4): 174-7.
>> PubMed Abstract

Esterline, M., M. Radlinsky, et al. (2005). "Endoscopic removal of nasal polyps in a cat using a novel approach." J Fel Med Surg 7(2): 121-124.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More