Atypical Megaesophagus Caused by a Nasopharyngeal Polyp in a Cat: A Case Report

Abstract

A 6-month-old intact male domestic shorthair cat presented with a history of aphonia, vomiting, regurgitation, chronic purulent nasal discharge, and recurrent signs of respiratory infection. Radiographic examination revealed alveolar lung pattern and generalized megaesophagus at the thoracic and caudal cervical region. Additional examinations by computed tomography and virtual tracheoscopy revealed a large mass on the nasopharyngeal area that occupied about 90% of the tracheal lumen. With the aid of tracheostomy, the mass was removed with traction and sharp excision. According to histopathological findings the mass was diagnosed as nasopharyngeal polyp. A recheck examination performed a week later and the clinical manifestations of the megaesophagus were resolved and also three years later during a phone call, his owner reported he was doing well. To the best of the knowledge of the authors, megaesophagus following nasopharyngeal polyp is only reported in three other cats.

Keywords

• cat
• megaesophagus
• nasopharyngeal polyp
• virtual tracheoscopy
• traction/avulsion