Presumed post-traumatic subdural hygroma in a 2.5-year-old spayed female Chihuahua.

A 2.5-year-old spayed female Chihuahua dog was presented with chronic cervical pain and exhibited a "prayer-like position" following a history of a 4-meter fall. CT and MRI revealed a moderate right-sided enlargement of the subdural space with cerebrospinal fluid, consistent with a subdural hygroma, appearing connected to a quadrigeminal cistern dilation. Percutaneous transfontanellar external drainage of the subdural fluid accumulation did not prevent its re-accumulation, and the dog was managed medically, leading to the complete resolution of clinical signs. The subdural hygroma was suspected to be secondary to the previous trauma.

Lumbosacral endplate contour defect is frequently observed concurrent with other lumbosacral abnormalities on spinal CT of French Bulldogs.

Lumbosacral osteochondrosis has been previously described in large breed dogs with variable clinical signs. Its CT features are a contour defect at the dorsal aspect of either vertebral endplate, commonly with an adjacent fragment. Descriptions of this condition have not been previously published in an increasingly popular breed, French Bulldogs. Aims of this retrospective, descriptive, single center study were to evaluate CT lumbosacral abnormalities and the frequency of lumbosacral endplate contour defect in a large sample of French Bulldogs. The presence and location of lumbosacral endplate contour defect and the presence of a concurrent osseous fragment were recorded. Other abnormal CT findings such as L7-S1 disc herniation, cauda equina nerve roots compression or thickening, disc mineralization, endplate sclerosis, spondylosis deformans, S1 articular processes hypertrophy, transitional vertebrae, hemivertebrae, spina bifida, and block vertebrae were recorded. Lumbosacral CT abnormalities were present in 91.8% of dogs (168/183). The most common abnormality was an L7-S1 dorsal disc herniation (77.4%, 130/168). Among dogs with lumbosacral abnormalities, the frequency of a lumbosacral endplate contour defect was 47% (79/168). It mostly involved L7 (78.5%, 62/79) at its dorsolateral aspect (61.3%, 38/62). A mineralized fragment was identified in 62% of the defects (49/79). Endplate contour defects were most frequently seen with a concurrent disc herniation (93.7%, 74/79) causing nerve root compression in 63.3% (50/79) and with sclerosis (65.8%, 52/79). There was no definitive evidence of a relationship with clinical presentation in this sample of French Bulldogs; therefore, this finding should be interpreted with caution. The etiology remains unclear.

Septic peritonitis secondary to intra-peritoneal grass awn migration: 7 cases (2014-2021).

Objectives: To describe the clinical presentation, management, and outcome of cases treated for septic peritonitis secondary to intra-peritoneal grass awn migration. Animals: Six client-owned dogs and 1 client-owned cat. Procedures: Clinical data of dogs and cats treated surgically for septic peritonitis secondary to an intra-peritoneal grass awn identified during surgery between January 2014 and December 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Data included signalment, clinical presentation, blood test results, diagnostic imaging findings, surgical procedure, postoperative complications, and outcome. Telephone interviews were conducted for long-term follow-up. Results: Six dogs and 1 cat met the inclusion criteria. The most common reported clinical signs were lethargy (n = 7), anorexia/dysorexia (n = 4), and pyrexia (n = 4). The vegetal foreign body was not identified in any case with ultrasound (0/5) and only suspected for one case with a computed tomography scanner (1/4). A grass awn was identified within an omental abscess for each case during surgery. Abscess resection for each case resulted in partial pancreatectomy and a splenectomy for 1 case, and partial gastrectomy for another case. All cases survived to discharge. Only one minor post-operative complication was identified, and no other complication was reported at the long-term telephone interview. Conclusion and clinical significance: Septic peritonitis secondary to omental grass awn foreign body is an uncommon condition that has a good to excellent prognosis after surgical treatment. Identification of omental grass awn with ultrasound and computed tomography is rare. Therefore, particular care should be given to omental exploration during surgery for septic peritonitis with no underlying cause identified.

Péritonite septique secondaires à la migration de barbes de graminées : 7 cas (2014-2021). Objectifs: Décrire la présentation clinique, la prise en charge et pronostic des chiens et chats traité pour une péritonite septique secondaire à la migration intrapéritonéale d'un corps étranger végétal. Animaux: Six chiens et un chat traités. Protocole: Les informations des dossiers des chiens et chats pris en charge chirurgicalement pour une péritonite septique pour lesquelles un corps étranger végétal intrapéritonéal a été identifié entre janvier 2014 et décembre 2021 ont été obtenues. Les données concernant le signalement, la présentation clinique, les analyses sanguines, les examens d'imagerie, les procédures chirurgicales, les complications post-opératoires et l'évolution post-opératoire ont été collectées. Le suivi à long terme a été réalisé par téléphone. Résultats: Six chiens et un chat ont été inclus dans l'étude. Les signes cliniques les plus fréquents rapportés sont l'apathie (n = 7), l'anorexie/dysorexie (n = 4) et l'hyperthermie (n = 4). Les corps étrangers végétaux n'ont été identifiés dans aucun cas par échographie (0/5) et suspectés dans un cas à l'examen tomodensitométrique (1/4). Les corps étrangers ont tous été identifiés au sein d'un abcès dans l'omentum en chirurgie. Une résection de l'abcès a été réalisée dans chaque cas associé à une pancréatectomie partielle et une splénectomie pour un cas et une gastrectomie partielle pour un autre cas. Tous les animaux ont survécu. Seule une complication mineure a été rapportée en post-opératoire et aucune autre complication n'a été rapportée lors des entretiens téléphoniques. Conclusion et portée clinique: Les péritonites septiques secondaires à des migrations intra-péritonéale de corps étrangers végétaux sont des affections rares qui semblent être associées à un pronostic de survie bon à excellent après prise en charge chirurgicale. L'identification des corps étrangers dans l'omentum est difficile par échographie ou examen tomodensitométrique. Par conséquent, une attention particulière doit être portée à l'exploration de l'omentum lors de prise en charge chirurgicale de péritonite septique sans cause sous-jacente identifiée.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Computed tomography may be helpful in discriminating grass awn foreign body rhinitis from non-foreign body rhinitis in dogs.

Grass awn foreign bodies are a common cause of rhinitis in dogs.  Early detection and complete removal of these foreign bodies are important for minimizing risks of long term complications. The objective of this retrospective, descriptive cross-sectional study was to determine whether discriminating CT findings exist between dogs with grass awn foreign body rhinitis and dogs with non-foreign body rhinitis. Computed tomography scans of 47 dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of non-foreign body rhinitis (25 cases) or of a nasal grass awn foreign body (22 cases) were reviewed. In the latter group, grass seeds were visualized directly on CT images for one of 22 (5%) cases. Focal lysis was more strongly associated with the presence of a grass awn foreign body (P = .012, LR = 3.0) and widespread lysis (involving more than one-third of the nasal cavity and/or bilateral) appeared associated with non-foreign body rhinitis (P = .046, LR = 2.0). Maxillary recess filling was associated with non-foreign body rhinitis (LR = 4.4) as was widespread lysis (LR = 2.0). Findings supported prioritizing grass awn foreign body rhinitis as a differential diagnosis for dogs with the former CT characteristics, even if a grass awn cannot be directly visualized.

CT is helpful for the detection and presurgical planning of lung perforation in dogs with spontaneous pneumothorax induced by grass awn migration: 22 cases.

Spontaneous pneumothorax induced by grass awns accounts for 5% of spontaneous pneumothorax and 22.5% of thoracic grass awn cases. Previous studies report limited interest of CT for spontaneous pneumothorax. Aims of this retrospective case series were to describe CT features of this condition and determine if CT features can efficiently localize the perforation site. Dogs that had a spontaneous pneumothorax, CT examination, thoracic surgery, and confirmed lung perforation due to a grass awn were included. Computed tomography studies were reviewed and compared to the surgical findings.  In 19 of 22 (86.4%) dogs, the pneumothorax or its recurrence were ipsilateral to the perforation site. The perforation site was identified in 21 of 22 (95.5%) dogs and involved the caudal lobes in 20 of 22 (90.9%) cases. The lateralization and the involved lung lobe corresponded to surgical findings in 21 of 22(95.5%) dogs. The perforation site was characterized as a soft tissue attenuating focus lying against an extensive pleural thickening in 21 of 22(95.5%) dogs. An adjacent defect in the visceral pleura was seen in 13 of 22(59.1%) dogs. A grass awn was seen in 11 of 22(50%) dogs.  The pneumothorax distribution and grass awn position consistently indicated the perforation side in this sample of dogs. The comparison with surgical findings suggests CT might be helpful for future presurgical planning of this etiology for pneumothorax.

Evaluation of early and systematic ultrasound examination to determine postoperative dehiscence after small intestinal surgery (114 cases in dogs and cats).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and reliability of early ultrasound diagnosis for postsurgical bowel dehiscence and find the most reliable ultrasound criteria for dehiscence identification. Additionally, to determine the impact of early ultrasound detection of leakage in terms of survival and duration of hospitalization. Finally, to assess the need for systematized screening or checkup of the population at risk of dehiscence only. ANIMALS: 31 cats and 83 dogs. METHODS: A retrospective, records-based study was performed on 83 dogs and 31 cats (114 total) undergoing small intestinal surgery. Epidemiologic data, clinical signs, surgical procedures, pre- and postoperative ultrasound findings at 48 to 96 hours, hospitalization duration, complications, and general outcomes were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify ultrasound findings associated with dehiscence. RESULTS: Dehiscence was suspected by ultrasound for 0 of 31 cats and 7 of 83 dogs (2 of 49 for enterotomy and 5 of 34 for enterectomy). Every suspected dehiscence was confirmed during revision surgery except one enterectomy revision, which was declined by the owner. Neither this case nor those without ultrasound evidence of dehiscence developed clinical signs of intestinal leakage. Direct visibility of wall discontinuity, presence of gas bubbles, and liquid in vicinity of the intestinal surgical site were statistically associated with early dehiscence. Survival rate after the second surgery was 83%. Median hospitalization time after the second surgery for dehiscence was 2 days (minimum, 2 days; maximum, 4 days). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Postoperative ultrasound examination between 48 and 96 hours after intestinal surgery allows early and sensitive detection of intestinal dehiscence. Survival rate after revision surgery was significantly higher than that associated with septic peritonitis.

Comparison of computed tomography and surgical findings and investigation of their associations with outcomes for dogs with sublumbar abscesses.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare the results of preoperative CT and surgical findings in dogs with sublumbar abscesses and investigate potential associations between these variables and the outcome of abscess recurrence. ANIMALS: 51 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES: A retrospective, records-based study was performed of dogs undergoing surgery for treatment of sublumbar abscesses diagnosed by use of CT between January 2010 and December 2018. Signalment, clinical signs, clinicopathologic data, CT findings, surgical techniques and findings, duration of hospitalization, postoperative treatment, and complications were recorded. Long-term follow-up was performed through telephone interviews. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate associations between the variables of interest and abscess recurrence. RESULTS: 51 dogs met the study inclusion criteria; 48 were included in outcome analysis. The CT findings agreed with surgical findings for identification of a migrating vegetal foreign body for 39 of 51 (77%) dogs. All dogs survived to hospital discharge; 1 dog died of hemoabdomen 3 days after surgery, and 6 had minor (surgical wound) complications reported. Abscess recurrence developed in 12 of 48 (25%) dogs with a median time to recurrence of 6 months. Identification of diskospondylitis on CT examination was the only investigated factor significantly associated with recurrence; odds of recurrence in dogs with this finding were 8.4 times those for dogs without this finding. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our results suggested dogs with sublumbar abscesses have a good prognosis after surgery, although recurrence can develop. Preoperative identification of diskospondylitis was significantly associated with abscess recurrence in this study sample.