Nasopharyngeal stenosis

Patients with nasopharyngeal stenosis have problems breathing due to scarring or malformation of the back of the nasal passage. This may occur following a severe infection or may be the result of regurgitation under anesthesia.

The best treatment option for affected dogs and cats is balloon dilation followed by stenting. We use CT images, fluoroscopy and endoscopy to assess the lesion, widen the space and place a stent. This holds the affected area open and makes the patient much more comfortable.

This CT image shows the stenosis above the soft palate

In this fluoroscopic image, we can see a flexible endoscope at the back of the throat with a balloon positioned over the stenotic area

This is the back of the stenosis with the stent in place. A guidewire is visible running through the center of the stent.