Computed tomographic and radiographic characteristics of aortic lesions in 42 dogs with spirocercosis.

Spirocerca lupi is a common cause of vomiting, regurgitation, and sudden death in dogs that live in tropical or subtropical regions. Sudden death due to aortic rupture may occur with no preceding clinical signs. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) characteristics of aortic lesions in a cohort of 42 dogs with endoscopically confirmed spirocercosis. Dorsoventral and right lateral recumbent thoracic radiographic findings were compared with pre- and postcontrast thoracic CT findings. Aortic mineralization was detected using CT in 18/42 dogs (43%). Three dogs had faint diffuse aortic wall mineralization. Using CT as the reference standard, radiographs had a sensitivity and specificity of 6% and 96%, respectively, for detecting aortic mineralization. A total of 20 aortic aneurysms were detected using CT in 15/42 dogs (36%). Using CT as the reference standard, radiographs had a sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 56%, respectively, for detecting aortic aneurysms. Respiratory motion, aortic displacement by esophageal masses and Spirocerca nodules adjacent to the aorta mimicked aneurysm formation on radiographs. Aortic thrombi were seen in two dogs in postcontrast CT images. Findings from this study indicated that aortic mineralization and aneurysm formation are common in dogs with spirocercosis. Findings also supported the use of pre- and postcontrast CT as effective methods for detecting and characterizing these lesions.

Aortic thromboembolism associated with Spirocerca lupi infection.

A 2-year-old male castrated Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was presented with paraplegia, cold caudal extremities and lack of femoral pulses. A 2cm long thrombus occluding the aortic trifurcation and a 3cm long abdominal aortic aneurysm with a thrombus were detected by ultrasonographic examination. The clinical and ultrasonographic findings were consistent with aortic thromboembolism. Anti-thrombotic and vasodilative therapy was not helpful and the dog was euthanized 3 days after the onset of paraplegia. A thrombus in the aortic trifurcation, multiple thoracic and abdominal aneurysms and a distal mediastinal esophageal granuloma containing Spirocera lupi worms were found on necropsy. The abdominal aortic aneurysms formed by S. lupi larval migration are believed to be responsible for the formation of the thrombus that occluded the aortic trifurcation. This is the first report of aortic thromboembolism associated with S. lupi infection.

[Multiple lung hydatidosis with cardiac, pulmonary artery and aortic localizations]. / Hydatidose pulmonaire multiple avec localisation cardiaque, artérielle pulmonaire et aortique.

Multiple lung hydatidosis associated with cardiac localization is rare, whereas large arterial localization is exceptional and involves a poor prognosis. The authors report the case of a 26-year-old man living in a rural area, without a past medical history. He presented chest pain, hydatidoptysis and syncope. A chest x-ray revealed multiple bilateral cysts. A chest CT scan detected multiple cysts in the heart, the pericardium and multiple pulmonary cysts. Echocardiography revealed cysts in the right and left auricle, the pulmonary artery as well as the pericardium. Medical three treatments were administered before surgical intervention on the heart cysts under extracorporeal circulation, revealing an enormous hydatid cyst at the beginning of the aorta. Unfortunately, the patient died during the immediate postoperative phase.

Catastrophic aortic thrombosis due to Toxocara infection.

Toxocariasis, a common helminthozoonosis with a worldwide prevalence, usually manifests as 'visceral larva migrans' (VLM). Among its wide range of clinical presentations, large vessel thrombosis has never been described before. We report a case of aortic thrombosis caused by Toxocara canis infection in a young male who was successfully treated with albendazole.

Hydatid cyst in the wall of the ascending aorta.

Hydatid disease rarely involves the aortic wall. We report a case of hydatidosis involving the ascending aorta and the left atrium. The patient underwent replacement of the ascending aorta with a prosthetic Dacron graft and left atrial cystectomy. At the 6-month follow-up, she was leading a normal life.

Hydatid cyst of the abdominal aorta and common iliac arteries complicated by a false aneurysm: a case report.

The rupture of hydatid cysts into the abdominal aorta is an unusual and serious complication of the hydatid disease. The authors describe a case of a 12-year-old girl with hydatid disease presenting as a retroperitoneal mass invading the wall of the abdominal aortic bifurcation and complicated by a false aneurysm. Difficulties of preoperative diagnosis and operative management were discussed, and the literature was reviewed.