Angiofibroma of the nasal cavity in 13 dogs

Abstract

This case series describes a rare entity, nasal angiofibroma, in 13 dogs that were presented to the University of Wisconsin, School of Veterinary Medicine from 1988 to 2000. All dogs in this case series presented with clinical signs and radiographic changes that were strongly suggestive of a locally invasive neoplasm. However, histopathology completed on transnostral core biopsy samples revealed benign appearing vascular proliferation with secondary lymphosuppurative inflammation was established despite cytologic criteria of malignancy present in five dogs. On the basis of the outcomes in this case series, nasal angiofibroma should be considered a differential for dogs presenting with clinical signs consistent with a malignant nasal tumour.

Nasal angiofibroma treatment outcome using intensity‐modulated radiation therapy in a dog

“…In humans, extranasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a non‐encapsulated vascular tumor that can occur anywhere along the upper respiratory tract 5 . These tumors often affect the nasal septum, and patients present with rapidly developing (over months) nasal obstruction often accompanied by epistaxis, which was similarly described in this patient and the earlier canine nasal angiofibroma case series 1,5 . The first‐line therapy of surgical resection is often considered curative as recurrence is rare 4 …”

“…This is the first publication describing prolonged survival in a dog receiving radiation therapy as the sole treatment for nasal angiofibroma. A previous case series described an array of outcomes, from euthanasia at diagnosis to death from unrelated causes within 4 years, for dogs receiving surgical cytoreductive procedures (six dogs), radiation therapy (one dog), or no treatment (six dogs) 1 . While long‐term survival was noted in dogs receiving surgery and some dogs receiving no treatment, the dog that received radiation therapy in that study was euthanized 1 week after treatment completion 1 .…”

“…A previous case series described an array of outcomes, from euthanasia at diagnosis to death from unrelated causes within 4 years, for dogs receiving surgical cytoreductive procedures (six dogs), radiation therapy (one dog), or no treatment (six dogs) 1 . While long‐term survival was noted in dogs receiving surgery and some dogs receiving no treatment, the dog that received radiation therapy in that study was euthanized 1 week after treatment completion 1 . This previously treated dog received a total dose of 42 Gy over 12 days (assuming 12 equal fractions of 3.5 Gy, although this is not clear in the report).…”

Respiratory Tract

“…Intranasal and sinus melanoma has been reported in both dogs (Hicks and Fidel, 2006) and cats (Mukaratirwa et al, 2001). Benign proliferations such as angiofibroma have been histologically described in the nasal cavity (Burgess et al, 2011).…”

Perivascular Wall Tumor in the Brain of a Dog

“…Hemangiopericytomas and other perivascular wall tumors most commonly occur in the skin and subcutis of dogs [4,5]. However, there have been reports of primary hemangiopericytomas and perivascular wall tumors in the lung [6], orbit [7], spleen [8], pelvic cavity [9], mesentery [10], nasal cavity [11], frontal sinus [12], and nasopharynx of dogs [13].…”