Co-occurrence of Nasal Polyps and Neoplasms of the Canine Nasal Cavity

Diagnostic benefits of platelet-to-lymphocyte, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte, and albumin-to-globulin ratios in dogs with nasal cavity diseases

BACKGROUND

A multimodal approach for diagnostic tests under anesthesia is required to diagnose nasal cavity pathology (NP) reliably in dogs. Blood test results may provide clues to the suspected NP.

METHODS

This prospective blinded study assessed 72 dogs with chronic nasal discharge due to NPs, and 10 healthy dogs as the control group (CG). NPs were diagnosed using whole-body computed tomography (CT), upper airway endoscopy, examination of nasal mucosal swabs by bacterial and fungal culture, and histopathological examination of nasal mucosa biopsies. The exclusion criteria were the presence of any additional diseases or corticosteroid pre-treatment. In consideration of these exclusion criteria, 55 dogs entered the study. Dogs were classified into benign (benign tumors, idiopathic rhinitis (IR), and others) and malignant (carcinomas and sarcomas) NP groups. Blood count and blood chemistry tests were performed. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) were calculated and compared.

RESULTS

25 dogs with malignant NP (13 and 12 with carcinomas and sarcomas, respectively) and 30 dogs with benign NP (seven with benign tumors,13 with IR, and 10 others) were included. In general, in dogs with NP there were only slight abnormalities in complete blood count. However, PLR was significantly higher in dogs with malignant NP (carcinoma and sarcoma) than in those with benign NP and in the CG. Compared with the CG, the NLR was significantly increased in all dogs with NP, and the AGR was mild but significantly lower, except in dogs with sarcomas and benign tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

In dogs with nasal disease alone, there are usually no marked abnormalities in blood count. However, while mildly increased NLR and decreased AGR can be observed in almost all NPs, an increased PLR may indicate a malignant NP and can be used as an additional screening tool in dogs with nasal discharge due to nasal cavity pathology.

Nasal Smooth Muscle Hamartoma in a Dog: a Novel Subtype

A 3-year-old, female spayed, Pug-cross dog presented with a 2-year history of nasal congestion and focal facial deformity. Complete surgical excision was elected following nasopharyngoscopy, endoscopic biopsy and subsequent computed tomography (CT) scan. Nasopharyngoscopy revealed a friable, polypoid mass of the right nasal conchae occluding the right nasal passage. Biopsies of the mass showed expansion of the submucosa by dense bundles of well-differentiated smooth muscle cells that were strongly immunoreactive for ⍺-smooth muscle actin and desmin. Post-procedure CT revealed a large space-occupying mass in the nasal cavity with minimal lysis of the adjacent calvarium. Histology following complete excision confirmed the results obtained on the initial endoscopic biopsy. The final diagnosis was smooth muscle hamartoma.