Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation and a concurrent patent ductus arteriosus in a Doberman

A 7-week-old male Doberman presented with tachypnea, dyspnea and a VI/VI, left cranial, continuous heart murmur. Thoracic radiographs revealed severe left-sided cardiomegaly, presence of a rounded soft tissue opacity in the caudodorsal aspect of the thoracic cavity and signs of left-sided congestive heart failure. Clinical signs of heart failure were medically controlled. Echocardiography and computed tomography demonstrated a left-to-right shunting patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in combination with a right-to-left shunting pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) between the right main pulmonary artery and the right caudal pulmonary vein. Arterial blood gasses revealed mild hypoxemia. Transcatheter occlusion of the PDA using an Amplatz Canine Duct Occluder was performed. Four months post-operatively, echocardiography showed normal cardiac size and function with complete PDA closure. Thoracic radiographs revealed absence of the rounded opacity and resolution of cardiomegaly and vascular congestion. The PAVM was no longer visualized on repeated computed tomography and the arterial blood gasses were within normal limits. A PAVM connecting a pulmonary artery to a pulmonary vein has only rarely been reported in dogs. This report describes the presence of a congenital PAVM in combination with a PDA in a dog, which has not been previously reported in veterinary medicine.

Whole-body thermal therapy as adjuvant therapy to radiation in a dog with metastasized anal sac adenocarcinoma

An eleven-year-old Galgo Espagnol was diagnosed with metastasized anal sac adenocarcinoma. The patient was enrolled into a clinical trial and underwent three “whole-body thermal therapy” (WBTT) sessions combined with four hypofractionated radiotherapy sessions during a ten-weeks’ time period. The medical device and corresponding treatment protocol were designed by ElmediX (ElmediX NV, Belgium). Air was injected at high speed in a treatment chamber and automatically regulated to reach and maintain a body temperature of 41.5°C for eight hours. Thermometry was ensured by temperature sensors placed in and on the patient. During four radiotherapy sessions, an external beam delivered hypofractionated doses of 6Gy on both the primary tumor and the metastatic lymph nodes. Clinical monitoring and assessment of quality of life confirmed that the WBTT sessions were well tolerated. Although burn wounds at pressure points occurred, prolonged severe adverse effects were not observed. Furthermore, the disease progression was deemed slower than the expected progression based on the literature.

Complete recovery of right forebrain signs from presumptive cerebrovascular origin in an eight-year-old sport horse

In this case report, an eight-year-old Warmblood gelding is described with a presumptive vascular event resulting in severe head turn and circling to the right. The horse recovered completely from the clinical signs. Pathologies that cause asymmetrical forebrain signs in horses could be excluded. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a flow difference in the venous sinuses that was presumably caused by cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. The horse was treated with prednisolone, antibiotics, vitamin E and B1 and acetylsalicylic acid. He was represented one month after the initial clinical signs and was clinically and neurologically normal. The horse subsequently returned to his previous level of jumping.

Sole prednisolone therapy in canine meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology

Meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology (MUE) is a frequently diagnosed and often fatal disease in veterinary neurology. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the efficacy of three different sole prednisolone treatment schedules in dogs diagnosed with MUE. The dogs were diagnosed clinically with MUE based on previously described inclusion criteria, and treated with a three-, eight- or eighteen-week-tapering prednisolone schedule. Thirty eight dogs were included in the study. Seventeen, fifteen and six dogs received the three-, eight- and eighteen-week tapering schedule, respectively. Overall, 37% of the dogs died or were euthanized because of MUE, and a significant difference in survival time was seen between the three treatment schedules. Surprisingly, the highest number of dogs that died because of MUE was seen in the eightweek treatment schedule (56%), followed by the three-week (26%) and eighteen-week (0%) treatment schedule. Based on the results of this study, no definitive conclusions can be drawn regarding the ideal prednisolone dosing protocol for dogs diagnosed with MUE. However, a more aggressive and immunosuppressive treatment protocol might lead to a better outcome.

Detection of compressive hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion in dogs with multislice computed tomography

Compressive hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion (HNPE) in dogs is defined as acute extradural compression by hydrated nucleus pulposus material at the level of the associated intervertebral disc. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosis of HNPE. The aims of this study were to determine the usefulness of unenhanced computed tomography (CT) and contrast enhanced CT (CE-CT), and the sensitivity and specificity of CE-CT, for detection of compressive HNPE. Using CE-CT, HNPE was visualised as a hypodense extradural compressive lesion with rim enhancement immediately dorsal to the intervertebral disc space, with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 100%. CE-CT is a useful technique to detect compressive HNPE in dogs. However, if no clear lesion is identified with CE-CT, or if additional information about intramedullary changes is required, MRI still needs to be performed.

Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Multislice Computed Tomography for the Detection of Cervical Syringomyelia in Dogs

BACKGROUND

Syringomyelia (SM) is defined as the presence of fluid-containing cavities within the parenchyma of the spinal cord. Sagittal magnetic resonance (MR) images have been described as the preferred technique for visualizing SM in dogs and humans.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether computed tomography (CT) can be used to diagnose SM.

ANIMALS

Thirty-two client-owned dogs referred for investigation of the cervical spine on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT.

METHODS

Two reviewers retrospectively analyzed sagittal and transverse T1-weighted spin echo (T1WSE) MR images and CT images from each dog for the presence of SM and, if SM was present, the width (mm, syrinx width [SW]) was measured. The results were analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

For the presence of SM there was a moderate interobserver agreement for MR (81%, κ = 0.54) and almost perfect agreement for CT (94%, κ = 0.87). There was a moderate intramodality agreement for both observers (observer 1 81%, κ = 0.59; observer 2 81%, κ = 0.57). For measurement of SW the repeatability was the best on the midsagittal T1WSE images (95% repeatability coefficient <0.52 mm) and the reproducibility was the best on midsagittal images in both modalities (95% limits of agreement -0.55-0.45; P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Both techniques can be used to detect SM. Midsagittal MR and CT images are best used for measuring SW. Computed tomography can be used as a diagnostic tool for SM when MRI is not available, but CT cannot replace MRI as the standard screening technique for the detection of SM in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel for breeding purposes.

Morphology of the Canine Omentum Part 1: Arterial Landmarks that Define the Omentum

Although the omentum remains an enigmatic organ, research during the last decades has revealed its fascinating functions including fat storage, fluid drainage, immune activity, angiogenesis and adhesion. While clinicians both in human and veterinary medicine are continuously exploring new potential omental applications, detailed anatomical data on the canine omentum are currently lacking, and information is often retrieved from human medicine. In this study, the topographic anatomy of the canine greater and lesser omentum is explored in depth. Current nomenclature is challenged, and a more detailed terminology is proposed. Consistent arteries that are contained within folds of the superficial omental wall are documented, described and named, as they can provide the anatomical landmarks that are necessary for unambiguous scientific communication on the canine omentum. In an included dissection video, the conclusions and in situ findings described in this study are demonstrated.

Low-field MRI and multislice CT for the detection of cerebellar (foramen magnum) herniation in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Background

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) have a high prevalence of Chiari‐like malformation (CM). Herniation of the cerebellum into the foramen magnum is a key diagnostic feature for CM. Midsagittal MR images are the preferred technique for visualizing cerebellar herniation (CH).

Objective

To investigate whether CT can be used to diagnose CH.

Animals

Fifteen client‐owned CKCS dogs referred for investigation of the brain and cranial cervical spine on MRI and CT.

Methods

Two reviewers retrospectively analyzed midsagittal T1WSE and T2WSE MR images and midsagittal pre‐ and postcontrast 2D multiplanar reformatted CT images from each dog for the presence of CH. And, if present, the length (mm, CHL) of the herniation was measured. The results were analyzed statistically.

Results

There was no significant difference between the different observers and techniques for the detection of CH and measurement of CHL. Overall, the CHL was longer on the CT images.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Both techniques are useful for detecting CH and measuring CHL. Because CHL does not have a known direct impact on the clinical presentation of CM, CT can be used as a diagnostic tool in a routine clinical practice for CM in CKCS when MRI is not available. We emphasize that MRI is the standard screening technique in CKCS for breeding purposes to detect the presence of CM and SM and, at the current time, CT cannot replace MRI.

Unilateral shunt formation with thoracic aortic dissection in a whippet

A three-year-old neutered male whippet was presented with intermittent, exercise-induced paraparesis. Femoral pulses were bilaterally absent. Neurologic examination was suggestive of a thoracolumbar myelopathy. Blood pressure measurements revealed hypotension in both pelvic limbs, hypertension in the right thoracic limb and it was immeasurable in the left thoracic limb. Echocardiography was within reference limits. A clear vascular pulsation was palpable on the right ventral abdominal wall. Computed tomographic angiography revealed a dissection of the aortic wall between the left subclavian artery and the brachiocephalic trunk with subsequent thrombus formation. A shunt between the right internal thoracic, cranial and caudal epigastric arteries to preserve blood flow to the pelvic limbs was visualized. Necropsy was declined by the owner. This is the first case report describing the formation of a unilateral vascular shunt following a thoracic aortic occlusion, which presented as exercise-induced paraparesis.

Computertomografie voor de detectie van longnodulen bij de hond

Computertomografie is de laatste jaren meer en meer beschikbaar in de diergeneeskunde. Een belangrijke toepassing is de detectie van longnodulen bij kankerpatiënten. Het vroegtijdig opsporen is essentieel voor het bepalen van de therapie en de prognose van de ziekte. In dit artikel worden het gebruik, de meerwaarde en de beperkingen van deze beeldvormingstechniek beschreven.