Surgical Management of a Traumatic Brain Herniation Through the Bregmatic Fontanelle in a Dog.

A 1 yr old female Chihuahua was presented for traumatic skull injury. Computed tomography revealed brain herniation through the bregmatic fontanelle. The hernia was manually reduced, and the defect was repaired using a polypropylene mesh. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of brain herniation through the bregmatic fontanelle in a dog.

Sternal Dislocation and Associated Lung Lobe Hernia in a Cat.

Sternal luxation/dislocation is a rare condition and is most often the result of trauma. Medical and surgical management have been described, with scarce information regarding the best treatment option for these cases. A 1-year-old domestic shorthair cat was presented for severe sternal dislocation and a left humeral fracture. Given the displacement observed at the level of the sternum and pain associated, surgical stabilization was elected. A partial lung lobe hernia was identified during the open stabilization of the sternum. Management of the hernia and sternal luxation stabilization were performed with the aid of video-assisted thoracoscopy. The cat recovered uneventfully, and no postoperative complications were reported.

Computed tomographic assessment of retrograde urohydropropulsion in male dogs and prediction of stone composition using Hounsfield unit in dogs and cats.

BACKGROUND: Persistent uroliths after a cystotomy in dogs are a common cause of surgical failure. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the following: the success rate of retrograde urohydropropulsion in male dogs using non-enhanced computed tomography (CT), whether the CT mean beam attenuation values in Hounsfield Units (mHU) measured in vivo could predict the urolithiasis composition and whether the selected reconstruction kernel may influence the measured mHU. METHODS: All dogs and cats that presented with lower urinary tract uroliths and had a non-enhanced CT preceding surgery were included. In male dogs, CT was performed after retrograde urohydropropulsion to detect the remaining urethral calculi. The percentage and location of persistent calculi were recorded. The images were reconstructed using three kernels, from smooth to ultrasharp, and the calculi mHU were measured. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were included in the study. The success rate of retrograde urohydropropulsion in the 45 male dogs was 55.6% and 86.7% at the first and second attempts, respectively. The predominant components of the calculi were cystine (20), struvite (15), calcium oxalate (8), and urate (7). The convolution kernel influenced the mHU values (p < 0.05). The difference in mHU regarding the calculus composition was better assessed using the smoother kernel. A mHU greater than 1,000 HU was predictive of calcium oxalate calculi. CONCLUSIONS: Non-enhanced CT is useful for controlling the success of retrograde urohydropropulsion. The mHU could allow a prediction of the calculus composition, particularly for calcium oxalate, which may help determine the therapeutic strategy.

Ultrasonographic and computed tomographic features of a true gastro-gastric intussusception with concurrent foreign bodies in a dog.

A 2-year-old intact male Cane Corso dog was presented for acute weakness, vomiting, and diarrhea. Abdominal ultrasound revealed the stomach had severe wall edema and a target appearance. Computed tomography was consistent with a gastro-gastric intussusception and concurrent mineral-like gastric foreign bodies. After reduction of the intussusception, bilateral incisional gastropexy was performed to prevent recurrence. True gastrogastric intussusception is a rare condition and should be considered if the stomach has severe wall edema with a target sign on abdominal ultrasound. Computed tomography was useful to confirm this rare diagnosis and screen the entire abdomen for concurrent lesions. Key clinical message: This case highlights the usefulness of a CT examination to confirm this rare diagnosis, to determine the position of gastric compartments, and to detect potential concurrent lesions prior to surgery.

Caractéristiques échographiques et tomodensitométriques d'une véritable intussusception gastrogastrique avec corps étrangers concomitants chez un chien. Un chien Cane Corso mâle intact de 2 ans a été présenté pour faiblesse aiguë, vomissements et diarrhée. L'échographie abdominale a révélé que l'estomac présentait un ædème sévère de la paroi et une apparence de cible. La tomodensitométrie était compatible avec une intussusception gastro-gastrique et des corps étrangers gastriques de type minéral concomitants. Après réduction de l'intussusception, une gastropexie incisionnelle bilatérale a été réalisée pour prévenir les récidives. L'intussusception gastro-gastrique vraie est une affection rare et doit être envisagée si l'estomac présente un ædème sévère de la paroi avec un signe de cible à l'échographie abdominale. La tomodensitométrie a été utile pour confirmer ce diagnostic rare et d'examiner tout l'abdomen à la recherche de lésions concomitantes.Message clinique clé :Ce cas met en évidence l'utilité d'un examen CT pour confirmer ce diagnostic rare, pour déterminer la position des compartiments gastriques et pour détecter d'éventuelles lésions concomitantes avant la chirurgie.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Effect of Intravenous Morphine Injection on Neurological Examination of Dogs With Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disk Extrusion.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the effect of intravenous morphine injection on the modified Frankel scores of dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion (IVDE). Methods: This was a prospective, blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled study. We included dogs with a presumptive diagnosis of thoracolumbar IVDE that did not undergo analgesic, anti-inflammatory, or sedative treatment within the last 12 h. A neurological examination was performed and the deficits were graded using the modified Frankel score (MFS). Subsequently, each dog was randomly allocated to receive an intravenous injection of either morphine or placebo. After 30 min, the dogs were re-evaluated by the same veterinary officer who was blinded to the contents of the injections. Dogs were included in the study if IVDE was ultimately confirmed by surgery within one week of initial presentation. Results: Among the 79 dogs initially enrolled, 62 dogs met the inclusion criteria. Among them, thirty-two dogs received intravenous morphine injections and there was no difference between the pre- and post-injection modified Frankel scores. Thirty dogs received an intravenous placebo injection. One dog had a worsening of the MFS by one grade in the post-injection examination. Clinical Significance: In dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion, an intravenous injection of morphine does not affect the modified Frankel score after 30 min compared with the pre-injection value. These findings support the use of an analgesic morphine dose if the neurological examination can be performed 30 min or later after the injection.