Radiographic diagnosis-situs inversus of abdominal organs in a dog

Renal Amyloidosis Associated With Kartagener Syndrome in a Dog

A 4-year-old cocker spaniel, male, of 12kg body weight was presented because of the onset of polyuria or polydipsia. From the first months of its life, the dog had exhibited constant serous to mucopurulent nasal discharge, productive cough, sneezing, reverse sneezing, otitis, and recurrent episodes of fever. The respiratory signs had been treated several times with antibiotics, without ever achieving a complete resolution. Clinical examination revealed normal rectal temperature (38.3°C), increased respiratory rate (40breaths/min), a copious mucous nasal discharge and right deviation of the heart apex beat (ictus cordis). Increased respiratory sounds with moist rales and crackles were found on chest auscultation. An increase in serum creatinine, urea and phosphorus, hypoalbuminemia and proteinuria were found. Lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs of the thorax and of the abdomen showed the transposition of the heart, with the cardiac apex pointing toward the right (dextrocardia), bronchointerstitial lung pattern, areas of consolidation, lesions consistent with bronchiectasis caves and a mirror-image of abdominal organs, confirming the diagnosis of complete situs inversus (CSI). Respiratory signs, combined with CSI, suggested the diagnosis of Kartagener syndrome (KS). Abdominal ultrasound showed an increase in the echogenicity of the renal parenchyma, a loss of definition of the corticomedullary line, slight bilateral pyelectasis, and decreased cortical perfusion. The dog died 2 months later because of a further worsening of the clinical condition. Necroscopy demonstrated the existence of CSI, rhinosinusitis, bronchitis, and bronchiectasis, so confirming the diagnosis of KS, and renal amyloidosis. This is the first case reported in veterinary medicine of the presence of renal amyloidosis together with KS in a dog.

Complete Situs Inversus in 2 Asymptomatic Dogs

Complete situs inversus is a rare congenital condition that is characterized by the development of the thoracic and abdominal viscera in a mirror image to their normal orientation. This study describes this condition in 2 dogs: an 8-year-old male dalmatian that was originally evaluated for cystitis and a 3-year-old male crossbreed Pekinese that had a routine echographic study. In dogs, most of the reported cases were associated with the Kartagener syndrome, but our patients had no evidences of this ciliary disorder.

Imaging diagnosis-portal vein aplasia and interruption of the caudal vena cava in three dogs

Severe portal vascular anomalies have been reported previously accompanying azygos continuation of the caudal vena cava, polysplenia, and situs anomalies in dogs and people. Three dogs with portal vascular anomalies were identified by means of CT angiography as having portal vein aplasia with portal insertion into the caudal vena cava, azygos continuation of the caudal vena cava, and interruption of the pre-hepatic caudal vena cava. This information confirms that complex embryological defects may occur in patients presenting for congenital portosystemic shunt, and that CT angiography is a non-invasive method of completely evaluating these potentially non-surgical portal vascular anomalies.

Situs Inversus Totalis in a Dog With a Chronic Diaphragmatic Hernia

Situs inversus totalis is a rare, congenital condition that is characterized by the development of the thoracic and abdominal viscera in a mirror image to their normal orientation. This case report describes the condition in a 4-year-old, spayed female Doberman pinscher that was evaluated for dyspnea following sedation. Radiography confirmed a diaphragmatic hernia. Situs inversus was discovered during surgical correction. The diaphragmatic rent was repaired, and the dog was clinically normal at recheck 13 months after surgery.