Video-Assisted Ventral Bulla Osteotomy to Remove a Bullet Foreign Body in a Cat

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Vestibular disease in cats often presents with neurological signs like head tilt and nystagmus.
• Middle ear foreign bodies are an uncommon but potential cause of these signs.
• Foreign bodies in the feline middle ear have not been previously documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of metallic foreign body in the middle ear of a cat.
• To describe the diagnostic and surgical approach for its removal.
• To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic-assisted surgery for this condition.

Main Methods:

• A 7-year-old domestic shorthair cat with chronic vestibular signs was diagnosed with a metallic foreign body in the left tympanic cavity via computed tomography.
• The foreign body was surgically removed using an endoscopic-assisted ventral bulla osteotomy.
• Postoperative monitoring was conducted for immediate complications and long-term outcomes.

Main Results:

• Computed tomography identified metallic foreign body fragments in the left tympanic cavity.
• Endoscopic-assisted ventral bulla osteotomy successfully removed the foreign material.
• The cat experienced complete resolution of neurological signs (head tilt, balance loss, nystagmus) with no recurrence at 5-month follow-up.
• No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed.

Conclusions:

• Metallic foreign bodies should be considered in the differential diagnosis for feline vestibular disease.
• Endoscopic-assisted foreign body removal via ventral bulla osteotomy is a safe and effective treatment for middle ear foreign bodies in cats.
• This case highlights a novel cause of vestibular dysfunction and a minimally invasive surgical solution in feline medicine.