Regional Veterinary Surgery

Nasal polyps

NASAL POLYPS/NASAL POLYPI

• Polyps are generally multiple and of smaller in size
• The general appearance of polyps are soft, non-ulcerated that arise from nasal mucosa. Usually they are pedunculated and consist of loosely arranged fibrous tissue covered by epithelium. 
• The growths are commonly attached to the lateral wall and rarely to the nasal septum. 
• Polyps  cause partial or complete  obstruction of the nasal passages show clinical signs like discharge, inspiratory dyspnoea and stertor.
• There may be frequent sneezing, the animal may show restlessness and may rub its nostrils against the ground. 
• In bilateral obstruction , animals exhibit mouth breathing .
• Extensive growths produce sufficient pressure to cause atrophy of the turbinates and also facial deformity.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis is based on the following procedure 
  • Direct visualization
  •  Endoscopic visualization of the nasal cavity reveals the presence of growth 
  • Radiography 
  • Histopathology 
  • Microbial culture examination

Treatment

Surgical  Procedure

• Pedunculated growths are removed by excision at the base of the attachment by local infiltration anaesthesia.
• When growths are enlarged and inaccessible through external nares, rhinotomy and excision is indicated.

Rhinotomy

• An incision through the skin and cartilage on the dorsolateral aspect of the nostril gives enough space to remove the growth from the nasal cavity. Base of the growth is debrided and cauterized.
• Haemorrhage is controlled by temporory plugging of the nasal cavity with gauze impregnated with an antiseptic and intravenous administartion of haemo coagulase, vitamin K, ethamsylate. 
• Trephining of the nasal bones is indicated when polyps extends upto the caudal aspect of the nasal septum.