A Case of Canine Sinonasal Aspergillus fumigatus Infection Associated With Intracranial Extension and Temporal Myositis

Vet Med Sci. 2025 Jan;11(1):e70188. doi: 10.1002/vms3.70188.

Abstract

A 12-year-old terrier was referred for investigation of a 4-month history of coughing, sneezing and nasal discharge. Clinical findings were consistent with sinonasal Aspergillus fumigatus infection with evidence of intracranial extension on computed tomography. Endoscopic debridement followed by topical clotrimazole and systemic antifungal therapy resulted in clinical improvement. Magnetic resonance imaging after 4 weeks showed reduced intracranial disease but demonstrated evidence of temporal myositis. Repeated debridement and topical treatment were performed at 4 and 8 weeks in conjunction with long-term voriconazole therapy. Further interventions were declined; the dog remains clinically well after 4 months with unilateral nasal discharge. As in human patients, invasive subtypes of sinonasal aspergillosis may also occur in dogs and be associated with poorer response to treatment.

Keywords: computed tomography; fungal; magnetic resonance imaging.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antifungal Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Aspergillosis* / drug therapy
  • Aspergillosis* / microbiology
  • Aspergillosis* / veterinary
  • Aspergillus fumigatus* / isolation & purification
  • Dog Diseases* / diagnostic imaging
  • Dog Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Dog Diseases* / microbiology
  • Dogs
  • Myositis* / microbiology
  • Myositis* / veterinary

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents