Tracheal resection and anastomosis in a red-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii banksii)

Tracheal stenosis in a yellow-crowned parrot (Amazona ochrocephala) due to diffuse ossification and osteopetrosis of tracheal rings

Tracheal luminal stenosis can cause clinical respiratory distress in wild birds. We describe a case of tracheal stenosis due to diffuse ossification with osteopetrosis of tracheal rings in a yellow-crowned parrot (Amazona ochrocephala) with a history of chronic respiratory distress and death after development of marked dyspnoea. An ante-mortem radiographic examination revealed that the tracheal rings were radiopaque and that there were multiple areas of osteopenic change in long bones. At necropsy, there was stenosis of the tracheal rings characterized by complete replacement of cartilage by thickened compact bone with osteopetrosis and bone necrosis. The clinical respiratory distress and death of the parrot were associated with tracheal luminal stenosis due to thickening of the tracheal rings by diffuse ossification with osteopetrosis.

Removal of a Tracheal Myelolipoma in a Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) by Surgical Resection and Anastomosis

A 17-year-old, female cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) was presented for a 1-week history of respiratory distress. The clinical signs were consistent with tracheal obstruction; therefore, an air sac cannula was placed to reduce respiratory compromise. Radiographic images of the patient revealed a round, intraluminal, soft tissue opacity in the trachea. The obstruction could be visualized via transtracheal illumination, but tracheoscopy was not feasible because of the size of the patient. Attempts to manually extirpate the obstruction were unsuccessful, and the trachea subsequently avulsed in the midcervical region. Tracheal resection and anastomosis was performed, and the obstruction was removed with the associated tracheal ring. The patient recovered uneventfully and was doing well at follow-up evaluations at 9 days, 24 days, and 10 months after the surgical procedure. The histologic diagnosis was ossifying myelolipoma arising from bone marrow within the tracheal ring.

Emergency tracheotomy and subsequent tracheal resection and anastomosis in a blue crane (Anthropoides paradiseus)

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 7-year-old female blue crane (Anthropoides paradiseus) was initially evaluated after it had suddenly developed signs of respiratory distress following aspiration of a rock. Emergency tracheotomy had been performed, and the rock had been removed from the proximal cervical portion of the trachea. Fifty-one days later, the clinical signs had returned and the crane was reevaluated.

CLINICAL FINDINGS

On reevaluation, no obvious external abnormalities were appreciated at the previous surgical site and no discharge was observed from the glottis. Computed tomography and tracheoscopy revealed marked tracheal stenosis and architectural collapse of the trachea at the previous surgery site.

TREATMENT AND OUTCOME

Tracheal resection and anastomosis was performed to remove the stenotic tracheal segment. Histologic examination of the resected tracheal segment revealed pyogranulomas with intralesional coccobacilli, fungal hyphae consistent with Aspergillus spp, possible parasitic ova, and features suggestive of mild to moderate heterophilic and lymphoplasmacytic tracheitis. The crane was treated with piroxicam, ceftiofur crystalline free acid, terbinafine, and itraconazole. At a follow-up examination 12 weeks later, no abnormalities were appreciated, and the surgical site had completely healed.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of successful tracheal resection and anastomosis in a bird of the order Gruiformes. The surgical approach used for the blue crane may be useful for removal of tracheal foreign bodies in this and other long-necked avian species.