CT measurements of tracheal diameter, length in normocephalic cats
The aim of this study was to measure the tracheal dimensions of normocephalic cats using CT.
Tracheal surgeries such as tracheostomy, tracheal anastomosis and stenting are rarely performed, challenging procedures in cats. The main reasons for surgical intervention in the feline trachea are tracheal or laryngeal obstruction, stenosis and tracheal collapse. Some of these surgeries, particularly in the case of tracheostomy, are associated with a high rate of complications.
Tracheal surgery techniques have been developed primarily for dogs. These techniques were then translated and adapted to cats under the assumption that the tracheal anatomy is comparable between the two species.
CT images of 15 client-owned normocephalic cats were retrospectively evaluated in the study to measure the length of the feline trachea. Transverse and vertical inner diameters were measured in five different tracheal regions, and the cross-sectional area of the tracheal lumen was calculated for each point of measurement. Descriptive statistics were applied using a two-tailed t-test.
The mean ± SD length of the trachea was 125.13 ± 14.41 mm. Male cats had significantly larger tracheas than female cats. The transverse diameter first increased by 0.94 mm between the most cranial point of measurement and the middle of the trachea. It then decreased by 1.38 mm between the middle of the trachea and the most caudal point of measurement.
The vertical diameter decreased by 1.16 mm between the first point of measurement and the penultimate point, and then increased by 0.06 mm between the penultimate point of measurement and the end of the trachea. The two different diameters resulted in an elliptical trachea shape.
The feline trachea was circular only at its cranial and caudal ends, and elliptical with a dorsoventral flattening along the rest of its length. Vertical and transverse diameters varied along the entire length.
Given the different shape of the trachea of cats compared with dogs, the authors said they believe that recommendations for tracheal surgeries in this species should be reconsidered. The development of surgical techniques tailored to the feline anatomy may give rise to improved outcomes. Further clinical studies are necessary to investigate additional factors responsible for complications associated with tracheal surgery.
Jeannette Zimmermann, et al. “CT measurements of tracheal diameter and length in normocephalic cats.” J Feline Med Surg. 2023 Mar;25(3):1098612X231158578. doi: 10.1177/1098612X231158578.
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