Retrospective evaluation of computed tomographic-guided Tru-Cut biopsies in 16 dogs and 14 cats with nasal cavity mass lesions

Abstract

Background: Approximately 80% of nasal masses in dogs and 91% of nasal masses in cats are reported to be malignant, but the currently reported diagnostic rate of neoplasia is 54% using blind or rhinoscopic biopsy techniques.

Hypothesis/objectives: Describe the technique of computed tomography (CT)-guided Tru-Cut (Tru-Cut biopsy needle, Merit Medical Systems, Utah, USA) nasal biopsies in cats and dogs to determine the diagnostic rate of neoplasia on the first round of sampling and to evaluate the safety of the technique.

Animals: Thirty client-owned animals, 16 dogs and 14 cats, that had CT-guided nasal biopsies performed to investigate nasal masses.

Methods: Retrospective, single-center, medical record review of 16 dogs and 14 cats that had CT-guided nasal biopsies performed between 2022 and 2024.

Results: Diagnostic biopsy samples were acquired using CT-guided Tru-Cut sampling in 28/30 cases (93%). The diagnosis was considered clinically appropriate in 26/30 cases (87%): neoplasia in 24/30 cases (80%) and rhinitis in 2/30 cases (7%). Neoplasia was the final diagnosis in 14/16 dogs (88%) and 10/14 cats (71%).

Conclusions and clinical importance: Computed tomographic-guided Tru-Cut biopsies can result in a high first-round diagnosis of neoplasia in nasal masses in cats and dogs, without clinically relevant complications. This technique is a useful alternative method of sampling nasal masses that may be difficult to access via rhinoscopy.

Keywords: biopsy; canine; feline; histology; nasopharynx; neoplasia; rhinoscopy.

FIGURE 1

Postcontrast medium frequency sagittal (A) and dorsal (B) reconstructions showing a heterogeneously enhancing soft tissue nasal mass (asterisks) within the right caudal aspect of the nasal cavity of a dog. Standard measurements taken include the naris to the rostral aspect of the mass (white line), the rostrocaudal length of the mass (black dashed line), and the rostrocaudal distance from the naris to the cribriform plate (white dashed line). Additional sagittal delayed postcontrast medium frequency reconstructions during a CT‐guided biopsy show the positioning of the biopsy needle at the mass (C) and the specimen notch (white arrowheads) extended within the mass (D). The final diagnosis based on these samples was chondrosarcoma.

FIGURE 2

Dog positioning for CT‐guided nasal biopsy procedure, with a Tru‐Cut biopsy needle inserted in the right nasal cavity via the right naris.

FIGURE 3

Postcontrast medium frequency sagittal image (A) showing a homogeneously enhancing soft tissue mass (asterisks) within the caudoventral nasal cavity and rostral nasopharynx of a cat. High‐frequency sagittal reconstructions during separate CT‐guided biopsies (B and C) show the specimen notch orientated dorsally and ventrally respectively (white arrowheads). The final diagnosis based on these samples was carcinoma.