Abstract
A case of dyspnea caused by bilateral dentigerous cysts in the nasal cavity of a Pug dog. A 3-year-old, 6.5 kg, neutered male Pug was referred with dyspnea, thought to be due to an elongated soft palate. Although the soft palate was indeed slightly elongated, the right maxillary third premolar was missing and the left maxillary second premolar had not fully erupted. Computed tomography images showed severe narrowing of the nasal cavity caused by two extensive bilateral cystic structures. Surgical shortening of the elongated soft palate did not improve dyspnea, suggesting that the two cystic structures in the nasal cavity were causing the symptoms. The cysts were surgically excised and impacted teeth removed. The impacted right maxillary third premolar and hemi-impacted left maxillary second premolar tooth were identified in each cyst on histologic examination. Taken together with the imaging appearance, these findings allowed the diagnosis of dentigerous cysts to be made. The dog’s respiratory function improved immediately after surgery and remains normal 16 months later; follow-up imaging 10 months after surgery showed no recurrence. In dyspneic brachycephalic dogs with missing maxillary teeth, odontogenic cyst should be considered as a differential diagnosis.
