Intranasal meningoencephalocele in a 1‐year‐old Staffordshire Bull Terrier with unilateral destructive rhinitis

Abstract

An 18-month-old male neutered Staffordshire Bull Terrier presented for chronic sneezing, left-sided rhinorrhea and epistaxis associated with previous nasal planum depigmentation and pruritus. Physical examination did not demonstrate bone asymmetry or depigmentation, but showed reduced airflow through the left nostril. No neurologic abnormalities were present. CT identified severe destruction of the left nasal turbinates and defect of the left cribriform plate, with protrusion of the left olfactory lobe into the caudal part of the nasal cavity. Rhinoscopy did not identify fungal plaques or foreign material, and nasal biopsies were consistent with lymphoplasmacytic destructive rhinitis. Tissue cultures were negative. Clinical signs completely resolved after 2 weeks of doxycycline treatment and did not recur. There was no development of neurologic abnormalities in the 12 months after diagnosis. This is the first case report of canine meningoencephalocele presenting with rhinitis-associated signs without detectable neurologic abnormalities.