Surgical resolution of an oesophageal duplication cyst causing regurgitation in a domestic shorthair cat

Bilateral second pharyngeal cleft cysts in 2 calves on the same farm

Pharyngeal cleft cysts (also called branchial cleft cysts) are rare congenital defects of the pharynx region that appear as soft, fluctuant cystic structures on the ventral neck. These cysts are formed by anomalous regression of the pharyngeal clefts during embryonic development and are lined by pseudostratified columnar to squamous, partially ciliated epithelium on histopathology. Development of these cysts is sporadic, with no currently identified risk factors in veterinary species. The cysts are typically unilateral, and primarily diagnosed in mature animals of various species. The objective of this article is to report 2 cases of bilateral second pharyngeal cleft cysts in 2 calves with no shared pedigree, located on the same farm. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of geographically linked second pharyngeal cleft cysts in veterinary species, and the first cases of bilateral cysts in cattle. Key clinical message: Pharyngeal cleft cysts are an important differential for soft, fluctuant, and cystic structures on the ventral neck of all species. These cases are typically unilateral, diagnosed in mature animals and are sporadic with no currently identified risk factors in veterinary species.

Rectal duplication in an adult cat: a novel transanal surgical approach

CASE SUMMARY

A 3-year and 8-month-old male entire European domestic shorthair cat was presented with a history of recurrent rectal prolapse, straining and pain when defaecating. Previous non-surgical and surgical treatments had not provided a satisfactory result. Rectal prolapse had recurred within 2 weeks of treatment. Upon clinical examination, an intraluminal mass could be palpated rectally. A CT scan examination revealed the mass was of a cystic nature and the cyst was surgically excised via a transanal approach. On histological evaluation, the cyst walls consisted of three of the layers of normal rectum: mucosa, muscularis of the mucosa and submucosa. These findings led to the definite diagnosis of rectal duplication.

RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION

Enteric duplication is among the differential diagnoses for straining and rectal prolapse in cats. This condition has previously been discussed in the veterinary literature, with a single case report describing a rectal duplication in a cat. In that particular case, the authors described a perineal surgical approach. Here we present a novel approach whereby the duplicated material was excised transanally in order to limit intra- and postoperative morbidity. The clinical outcome was excellent in our case, with complete resolution of clinical signs and no recurrence 18 months after surgery.

Feline abdominal ultrasonography: What's normal? What's abnormal? The diseased gastrointestinal tract

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE

Abdominal ultrasound plays a vital role in the diagnostic work-up of many cats presenting to general and specialist practitioners. B-mode ultrasonography is likely the most widely used modality for imaging the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in cats and it can help in the diagnosis of GI masses, foreign bodies and disorders of the ileocaecocolic junction.

CLINICAL CHALLENGES

Despite ultrasonography being a commonly used modality, many practitioners are not comfortable performing an ultrasound examination or interpreting the resulting images. Even differentiating between normal variations and pathological changes can be challenging for all but the most experienced. For example, while for inflammatory conditions of the feline GI tract changes are frequently identified on ultrasound, there may occasionally be no changes to the appearance of the intestine; hence a 'normal' ultrasound does not exclude the possibility of inflammatory disease.

AIM

This review, part of an occasional series on feline abdominal ultrasonography, describes the appearance of a range of conditions that affect the feline GI tract; the normal GI tract is addressed in an accompanying article in this issue of JFMS. Aimed at general practitioners who wish to improve their knowledge and confidence in feline abdominal ultrasound, this review is accompanied by high-resolution images and videos available online as supplementary material.

EQUIPMENT

Ultrasound facilities are readily available to most practitioners, although use of ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool is highly dependent on operator experience.

EVIDENCE BASE

Information provided in this article is drawn from the published literature and the author's own clinical experience.