Inflammatory Polyps in Cats

Highlights• Inflammatory polyps of the middle ear are presumed to originate from the epithelial lining of the tympanic bulla or eustachian tube.• Most cats present with either signs of otitis externa or otitis media.• The cats in this report had unusual presentations.

Inflammatory polyps of the middle ear and nasopharynx typically present with signs of otitis externa and otitis media or with signs of upper airway obstruction. This article presented 3 atypical cases of feline inflammatory polyps. In case 1, a cat with chronic viral respiratory infections presented with otic discharge. A bilobed polyp extending through the tympanic membrane into the horizontal external ear canal and through the eustachian tube into the nasopharyngeal area was discovered. Thus, the nasopharyngeal area should also be evaluated in cats presenting with signs of otitis externa or otitis media. In case 2, a unilateral inflammatory polyp causing facial nerve palsy and signs of vestibular disease was found and successfully treated. The disease, however, recurred in the opposite ear 1 month later, even though there was no sign of disease in that ear on the first computed tomography (CT) scan. Although uncommon, bilateral polyps can occur in cats. This case also showed that polyps can develop in a very brief period. Based on the CT scans of this cat, the authors also found that it is not possible to distinguish polyp recurrence, otitis media, or fibrous tissue ingrowth on CT scan following ventral bulla osteotomy. Case 3 documented a cat with characteristic signs of pulmonary hypertension. A large nasopharyngeal mass was found and removed. This is the first known report of a cat with pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic upper airway obstruction-it indicates that thoracic radiographs should be considered in cats with inflammatory polyps to rule out concurrent lower airway disease.

Atypical manifestations of feline inflammatory polyps in three cats. MacPhail CM, Innocenti CM, Kudnig ST, et al. J Feline Med Surg

9:219-225, 2007.