Development of alternating, ipsilateral Horner syndrome and Pourfour du Petit syndrome associated with oesophagostomy tube placement in a cat

Abstract

Case summary A 12-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was presented to a referral hospital for chronic intermittent hyporexia and weight loss. An abdominal ultrasound was performed, which revealed a mid-jejunal mass and mesenteric lymphadenomegaly. Surgical resection and placement of an oesophagostomy tube (O-tube) was performed. Upon recovery the cat exhibited signs of Horner syndrome, which resolved over the span of 2 weeks. Subsequently, the cat developed signs of unilateral Pourfour du Petit syndrome in the left eye at day 20 and unilateral Horner syndrome at day 25 ipsilateral to the O-tube insertion site. The O-tube was removed 32 days postoperatively, and Horner syndrome resolved 24 h later. Follow-up examination 15 months later did not show any recurrence of ocular signs. Relevance and novel information To our knowledge, this represents the first report of alternating ipsilateral Horner and Pourfour du Petit syndrome in a single patient that underwent placement of an O-tube. Neurological complications after O-tube placement are uncommon, with only a single previously published report of a cat developing Horner syndrome after O-tube placement. Veterinarians should consider potential ocular and neurological complications after O-tube placement and monitor for such signs postoperatively.