Endoscopic balloon dilatation of nasopharyngeal stenosis in a dog

A four-year old, intact male, mixed-breed dog had a history of chronic snoring sound and dyspnea. Based on the results of computed tomography, the patient was diagnosed as nasopharyngeal stenosis. Balloon dilatation in the area of stenosis was performed using a balloon dilator inserted retrograde fashion through the working channel of an endoscope. Clinical signs were relieved but reappeared after 3 weeks. Thirty-four days following the first balloon dilatation treatment, a second procedure was performed; the balloon catheter was inserted in antegrade fashion through the left nostril and was filled with contrast agent under fluoroscopic guidance. Because of the relapse of clinical signs after 6 months, the patient received additional balloon dilatation procedure by the antegrade approach. At the one-year follow-up, the owner said that the clinical signs of nasopharyngeal stenosis had been completely resolved. Balloon dilatation could be a minimally invasive and effective treatment for nasopharyngeal stenosis, although the repetition of the procedure may be required.