Computed tomography features and prevalence of focal diaphragmatic mineralization in 300 dogs.

A focal area of mineral attenuation is commonly observed in the diaphragmatic crura of canine patients undergoing a thoracic CT. There is no mention of this finding in either the human or veterinary medicine literature. This retrospective study evaluates 300 canine thoracic CT studies with the aim of describing the CT appearance of this finding and establishing a prevalence in a large cohort of dogs. The presence of the mineral focus and its CT characteristics, including length, attenuation, and appearance, were recorded and correlated with the patient's signalments and anamnesis. The focus was observed in 43 of 300 studies (14.3%). The most common appearance was a thin, millimetric, toothpick-like mineral attenuating structure in the confluence of the diaphragmatic crura, just ventral to the aorta. There was no association with adjacent potentially pathological changes. A significant correlation was found between the presence of the focus and the patient's body weight (P = .03), as well as with a brachycephalic conformation (P = .03). This focus of mineralization represents a relatively common incidental finding in the canine diaphragm and has no evident association with pathology.

A Rotation Alar Fold Flap for Cosmetic Nasal Plane Reconstruction: Description of the Technique and Outcome in Three Dogs.

Nasal planum reconstruction is a surgical challenge, and several surgical techniques have been described. The objective of this study was to describe the rotation alar fold flap technique and to report clinical outcomes in a short case series. The feasibility of the technique was first assessed in a canine cadaveric model. The rotation alar fold flap was obtained by a single sharp horizontal incision of the dorsolateral nasal cartilage, preserving the caudal mucosal attachment to the ventral nasal concha. The flap was then rotated ventro-medially for the reconstruction of the ventral aspect of the nasal planum unilaterally or bilaterally. The rotation alar fold flap technique was used following a subtotal or partial planectomy for excision of a squamous cell carcinoma or mast cell tumors in three dogs. No intraoperative complications were recorded. Superficial surgical site infection was reported in two cases and minor dehiscence was reported in one case. However, survival of the flap was not affected. The cosmetic and functional outcomes were considered very satisfactory in all cases. The rotation alar fold flap technique offers a safe, valuable, feasible, functional and aesthetically satisfactory alternative surgical option for selected cases of localized tumor involving the central and ventral planum.

Oesophageal pneumatosis: computed tomographic characteristics in three dogs (2018-2021).

BACKGROUND: Oesophageal pneumatosis (OP) is defined as the presence of gas within the oesophageal wall. The description of this condition in veterinary medicine is currently lacking. The pathogenesis of alimentary tract pneumatosis remains unclear. Current literature describes that access of gas into the oesophageal wall may occur by one or a combination of the following mechanisms: mucosal disruption, increased intra or extra-luminal pressure or dissection of gas from an extra-oesophageal source. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this multi-centric case series was to describe the computed tomography (CT) findings of OP in dogs. METHODS: Three adult dogs were included. One dog presented with gastrointestinal signs and general malaise while the other two presented with spontaneous facial and cervical subcutaneous emphysema. RESULTS: CT revealed different degrees of intramural gas along the oesophageal wall in all cases. The first dog was diagnosed with emphysematous gastritis based on the presence of gastric pneumatosis paired with compatible clinicopathological and endoscopic findings. This dog was successfully treated with antibiotics. The remaining two dogs were diagnosed with spontaneous pneumomediastinum and required no surgical or medical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In all cases with OP, there was concurrent gastric pneumatosis. Gas extensively and circumferentially distributed with a banded shape along the oesophageal wall was present in patients with presumed mural gas dissection because of pneumomediastinum. Conversely, a focal and mild amount of mural gas with a tubular shape was identified in the distal segment of the oesophagus in the patient with emphysematous gastritis.

CT findings in five dogs with surgically confirmed colonic torsion.

Colonic torsion is a life-threatening condition that results in colonic ischemia, necrosis, perforation, sepsis, and eventual death. The aim of this multicenter, retrospective case series study was to describe the CT findings in dogs with surgically confirmed colonic torsion. Medical records were searched for dogs with surgically confirmed colonic torsion following abdominal CT. Five dogs met the inclusion criteria. Three had a history of chronic intermittent diarrhea prior to presentation. Two dogs presented with acute vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain and one dog presented with acute vomiting and lethargy. Computed tomographic findings in all dogs with surgically confirmed colonic torsion include: "whirl sign," displacement and distension of the cecum and colon, focal narrowing of the colon, and distension of the mesenteric vasculature in all dogs (5/5); streaky peritoneal fat and peritoneal effusion (4/5), pneumatosis coli (2/5), small intestinal distension (2/5), portal vein thrombosis (1/5), and reduced colonic wall contrast enhancement (1/5). In all dogs (5/5), the torsion site was the descending colon and demonstrated an anticlockwise rotation. At surgery, three of the five dogs had a partial colonic torsion with hyperemia at the site of obstruction and two of the five dogs had a complete torsion with marked necrosis of the colonic wall. Displacement of the colon and cecum, segmental distension and focal narrowing of the colon, the presence of a "whirl sign" and distension of the mesenteric vasculature are CT findings highly suggestive of colonic torsion.

Distal esophageal sphincter achalasia in a Labrador retriever dog with polypoid gastric mucosal hyperplasia and pyloric stenosis.

An 11-year-old, neutered female, Labrador retriever dog was presented with a history of intractable vomiting, regurgitation, and coughing. Computed tomography (CT) imaging identified marked hypertrophy of the distal esophagus with a suspicion of distal esophageal achalasia, based on the observation of a "bird beak" appearance. This was later confirmed on a fluoroscopic swallow study. Marked hypertrophy of the gastric pylorus was also identified on CT imaging, and polypoid gastric mucosal hyperplasia was diagnosed based on the gross endoscopic appearance combined with gastric histopathology. Secondary aspiration pneumonia was diagnosed based on the results of CT imaging, bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis. Medical therapy alone failed to elicit any significant improvement, but clinical resolution was achieved following surgical intervention comprising Ventral Heller myotomy, Dor's fundoplication, and pyloroplasty.

Achalasie du sphincter oesophagien distal chez un chien de race Labrador avec hyperplasie polypoïde de la muqueuse gastrique et sténose du pylore. Une femelle Labrador stérilisée âgée de 11 ans fut présentée avec une histoire de vomissements intraitables, de régurgitation et de toux. Un examen par tomodensitométrie (CT) identifia une hypertrophie marquée de l'oesophage distal avec un doute d'achalasie oesophagienne distale, sur la base de l'observation d'une apparence en « bec d'oiseau ¼. Ceci fut ultérieurement confirmé par examen fluoroscopique. Une hypertrophie marquée du pylore gastrique fut également identifiée lors de l'examen par CT, et une hyperplasie polypoïde de la muqueuse gastrique fut diagnostiquée sur la base de l'apparence macroscopique lors de l'endoscopie combinée avec l'examen histopathologique de la muqueuse gastrique. Une pneumonie par aspiration secondaire fut diagnostiquée basée sur les résultats du CT, de la bronchoscopie et de l'analyse du liquide de lavage broncho-alvéolaire. Une thérapie médicale seule ne parvint pas à éliciter une amélioration significative, mais une résolution clinique fut obtenue à la suite d'une intervention chirurgicale comprenant une myotomie ventrale de Heller, une fundoplicature de Dor, et une pyloroplastie.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Computed tomographic characteristics of eosinophilic pulmonary granulomatosis in five dogs.

Canine pulmonary eosinophilic granulomatosis is a rare inflammatory pulmonary disease characterized by formation of eosinophilic granulomas that tend to obliterate the normal pulmonary architecture. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the CT characteristics of confirmed idiopathic pulmonary eosinophilic granulomatosis in a group of dogs. Five dogs met inclusion criteria. All patients were young adult dogs of variable breeds. No dog had concurrent occult heartworm disease. Computed tomographic characteristics most commonly included pulmonary masses and nodules of variable size, and lesions were most commonly located in the caudal lung lobes. Four dogs had large pulmonary masses with or without additional nodules and one dog had nodular lesions disseminated throughout the entire lung parenchyma. All large eosinophilic granulomas were smoothly margined, heterogeneous pulmonary masses displaying heterogeneous contrast enhancement. A honeycomb-like enhancement pattern was observed in all but one mass and consisted of multiple hyperattenuating rims delineating central hypoattenuating areas, suggestive of bronchiectatic lung with peripheral enhancing airway walls and fluid-filled, necrotic bronchial lumen. One dog had evidence of tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy. Findings indicated that canine eosinophilic pulmonary granulomatosis should be included as a differential diagnosis for dogs with CT characteristics of multiple pulmonary masses and/or nodules in caudal lung lobes, and a honeycomb-like enhancement pattern in masses after intravenous administration of iodinated contrast medium.