COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY BRONCHIAL LUMEN TO PULMONARY ARTERY DIAMETER RATIO IN DOGS WITHOUT CLINICAL PULMONARY DISEASE

Bronchiectasis is diagnosed in humans using multiple computed tomography (CT) criteria, the most important being dilatation of the bronchi. The most widely used criterion for detection of bronchial dilatation is a bronchial lumen to pulmonary artery diameter (bronchoarterial [BA]) ratio >1.0. No studies have been performed to determine the BA ratio in normal dogs. Thoracic CT images of 24 dogs without clinical pulmonary disease were reviewed. The BA ratio of the lobar bronchi of the left cranial (cranial and caudal parts), right cranial, right middle, left caudal, and right caudal lung lobes was measured. The mean of the mean BA ratio for all dogs was 1.45±0.21 (99% confidence interval [CI]=1.34–1.56). The mean of the mean BA ratio as determined by lung lobe was 1.45±0.04 (99% CI=1.41–1.49). The range of individual BA ratios was 0.8–2.0. There was no significant difference in mean BA ratios as a function of lung lobe ( P =0.60). The BA ratio in these clinically normal dogs was consistent and may be a useful tool in evaluating for bronchiectasis on CT images. BA ratios >2.0 were not identified in this population, suggesting a threshold to differentiate normal from abnormal bronchi.     

Computed tomographic findings in three dogs naturally infected with Crenosoma vulpis

Crenosoma vulpis is a nematode lungworm found in wild and domestic canids in some parts of North America and Europe. Reported radiographic findings are nonspecific and consist of a combination of bronchial and interstitial changes of variable severity. This retrospective, case series study aimed to describe thoracic computed tomographic (CT) findings for a group of dogs with confirmed crenosomosis. Selection criteria were presentation with a chronic cough during the period of January 2016 to February 2017, evaluation by thoracic CT, and final diagnosis of C. vulpis infection based on bronchoscopic findings, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Medical records and CT images were retrieved and reviewed by a board‐certified veterinary internist, a veterinary internal medicine resident, two board‐certified veterinary radiologists, and a veterinary radiology intern, and findings were recorded. Three dogs met inclusion criteria. Thoracic CT findings for all dogs included the following: diffuse bronchial wall thickening, multifocal peribronchial ground glass attenuation, consolidation of the pulmonary parenchyma, and cylindrical bronchiectasis. In two dogs, the bronchial wall thickening was irregular to nodular, which was consistent with the bronchoscopic findings. Two dogs showed pulmonary parenchymal bands. Thoracic computed tomographic changes in dogs with C. vulpis are consistent with those seen on thoracic radiographs and crenosomosis should be considered in dogs with these findings.     

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF BRONCHIECTASIS IN 12 DOGS

Bronchiectasis is an irreversible dilatation of the bronchi resulting from chronic airway inflammation. In people, computed tomography (CT) has been described as the noninvasive gold standard for diagnosing bronchiectasis. In dogs, normal CT bronchoarterial ratios have been described as <2.0. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe quantitative and qualitative CT characteristics of bronchiectasis in a cohort of dogs with confirmed disease. Inclusion criteria for the study were thoracic radiography, thoracic CT, and a diagnosis of bronchiectasis based on bronchoscopy and/or histopathology. For each included dog, a single observer measured CT bronchoarterial ratios at 6 lobar locations. Qualitative thoracic radiography and CT characteristics were recorded by consensus opinion of two board‐certified veterinary radiologists. Twelve dogs met inclusion criteria. The mean bronchoarterial ratio from 28 bronchiectatic lung lobes was 2.71 ± 0.80 (range 1.4 to 4.33), and 23/28 measurements were >2.0. Averaged bronchoarterial ratios from bronchiectatic lung lobes were significantly larger (P < 0.01) than averaged ratios from nonbronchiectatic lung lobes. Qualitative CT characteristics of bronchiectasis included lack of peripheral airway tapering (12/12), lobar consolidation (11/12), bronchial wall thickening (7/12), and bronchial lumen occlusion (4/12). Radiographs detected lack of airway tapering in 7/12 dogs. In conclusion, the most common CT characteristics of bronchiectasis were dilatation, a lack of peripheral airway tapering, and lobar consolidation. Lack of peripheral airway tapering was not visible in thoracic radiographs for some dogs. For some affected dogs, bronchoarterial ratios were less than published normal values.     

CT and radiographic evaluation of bronchial collapsibility at forced expiration in asymptomatic brachycephalic dogs

Bronchial collapse due to bronchomalacia is an important cause of chronic coughing in dogs. Radiographic and CT evidence of bronchial collapse has previously been reported in healthy Beagle dogs under forced expiration. However, published studies in brachycephalic dog breeds that are prone to bronchial collapse are currently lacking. In the present prospective analytical experimental study, CT and radiography were used to measure the bronchial diameter and collapsibility of each pulmonary bronchus during end‐expiratory, 5 mL/kg forced‐expiratory, and 10 mL/kg forced‐expiratory phases in 17 asymptomatic brachycephalic dogs and six healthy Beagle dogs. Bronchial collapsibility was significantly greater during forced expiration, than that at the end of expiration in both groups (P < .001). Bronchial collapsibility measurements of the left lung lobes and the right cranial, middle, and accessory lobes were significantly higher in asymptomatic brachycephalic dogs than those in healthy Beagle dogs, during all expiratory phases (P < .05). The higher bronchial collapsibility of brachycephalic dogs was also supported using CT multiplanar reconstruction images and radiography. In conclusion, radiographic and CT measures of bronchial collapsibility in asymptomatic brachycephalic dogs are higher than measures in healthy Beagle dogs. Therefore, measures of bronchial collapse in brachycephalic dogs should not be evaluated using the same baseline measures as those used for healthy Beagle dogs.     

Computed tomographic bronchioarterial ratio for brachycephalic dogs without pulmonary disease

The bronchoarterial (BA) ratio measured with computed tomography is widely used in human medicine to diagnose bronchial dilation or collapse. Although use of the BA ratio in veterinary medicine has been recently studied, this has not been evaluated in brachycephalic dogs predisposed to bronchial diseases including bronchial collapse. The purpose of this study was to establish BA ratios for brachycephalic dogs and compare the values with those of non-brachycephalic dogs. Twenty-three brachycephalic dogs and 15 non-brachycephalic dogs without clinical pulmonary disease were evaluated. The BA ratio of the lobar bronchi in the left and right cranial as well as the right middle, left, and right caudal lung lobes was measured. No significant difference in mean BA ratio was observed between lung lobes or the individual animals (p = 0.148). The mean BA ratio was 1.08 ± 0.10 (99% CI = 0.98~1.18) for brachycephalic dogs and 1.51 ± 0.05 (99% CI = 1.46~1.56) for the non-brachycephalic group. There was a significant difference between the mean BA ratios of the brachycephalic and non-brachycephalic groups (p = 0.00). Defining the normal limit of the BA ratio for brachycephalic breeds may be helpful for diagnosing bronchial disease in brachycephalic dogs.     

High-resolution computed tomography bronchial lumen to pulmonary artery diameter ratio in anesthetized ventilated cats with normal lungs

High-resolution computed tomography (CT) is the preferred noninvasive tool for diagnosing bronchiectasis in people. A criterion for evaluating dilation of the bronchus is the bronchial lumen to pulmonary artery diameter (bronchoarterial ratio [BA ratio]). A ratio of > 1.0 in humans or > 2.0 in dogs has been suggested as a threshold for identifying bronchiectasis. The purpose of this study was to establish the BA ratio in normal cats. Fourteen specific pathogen-free cats were selected for analysis of thoracic CT images. The BA ratios of the lobar bronchi of the left cranial (cranial and caudal parts), right cranial, right middle, left caudal, and right caudal lung lobes were measured. The mean of the mean BA ratio of all lung lobes was 0.71 +/- 0.05. Individual BA ratios ranged from 0.5 to 1.11. Comparing individual lobes for each cat, there was no significant difference (P = 0.145) in mean BA ratio between lung lobes. A mean BA ratio for these normal cats was 0.71 +/- 0.1, which suggests an upper cut-off normal value > 0.91 (mean +/- 2 standard deviations) between normal and abnormal cats.     

Computed tomographic bronchial collapsibility values over 50% may be detected in healthy dogs

Bronchomalacia and bronchial collapse are important causes of chronic coughing in dogs. The current reference standard diagnostic tests for these problems are flexible bronchoscopy and biopsy. Previous human studies have also supported inspiration/expiration computed tomography (CT) as a diagnostic test. The current prospective, pilot study aimed to determine whether inspiration/expiration CT is also a feasible test for quantifying bronchial collapsibility in dogs. Thoracic CT images were acquired using a 64‐row multidetector CT for 10 healthy Beagle dogs during maximal inspiration and expiration. For each scan, one observer measured transverse sectional areas of the mainstem and lobar bronchi, and the dorsal and ventral segmental bronchi of the left cranial lobar bronchus. Diameters for each bronchus were also measured in transverse, sagittal, and dorsal planes. Bronchial collapsibility (%) was calculated as the difference between inspiration/expiration transverse sectional areas divided by the inspiration transverse sectional areas. Mean bronchial collapsibility of all bronchi was 38.20 ± 15.17%. A collapsibility of over 50% was found in the dorsal (n = 7) and ventral (n = 4) segmental bronchi of the left cranial lobar bronchus, and the left caudal (n = 5) and right middle (n = 2) lobar bronchus. Bronchial collapsibility measurements were greater in the dorsal and ventral segmental bronchi of the left cranial lobar bronchus and the left caudal lobar bronchus (P < 0.001). Findings supported inspiration/expiration CT as a modality to noninvasively assess bronchial collapse in dogs and a bronchial collapsibility value greater than 50% for detecting pathologic bronchial collapse in clinically affected dogs.     

Computed tomographic and radiographic bronchial collapse may be a normal characteristic of forced expiration in dogs

Tracheobronchomalacia has been diagnosed using radiography or bronchoscopy to confirm bronchial changes in luminal diameter during the respiratory cycle. However, studies in healthy humans suggest that some degree of bronchial collapse may be observed during the normal respiratory cycle. In this analytical study, the luminal diameter of the bronchus to each of the six pulmonary lobes and the mean percentage of expiratory collapse from end inspiratory, end expiratory, and two forced expiratory phases (10 and 15 ml/kg) were determined via computed tomography (CT) and radiography in 22 healthy Beagle dogs. The bronchial collapsibility was significantly greater during the forced expiration than the end expiration (P < 0.001); the same results were observed in dorsal and sagittal CT images and radiographs (P < 0.001). Median collapsibility values associated with 15 ml/kg forced expiratory collapse determined via cross‐sectional CT images were measured as 16.6–45.5% and differed according to the pulmonary lobe. Median collapsibilities on radiography with 15 ml/kg forced expiration were 57.8% and 62.1% in the right cranial lobe and right caudal lobe, respectively. In conclusion, bronchial diameter may change during the respiratory cycle, and some degree of reduction in bronchial diameter may be an incidental finding in healthy dogs. More rigorous criteria are needed with regards to bronchial collapsibility during normal respiration for the diagnosis of bronchomalacia in order to avoid false‐positive diagnoses.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF LUNG LOBE TORSION

The imaging features of lung lobe torsion in 10 dogs (nine complete, one partial torsion) acquired with a helical single‐slice computed tomography (CT) unit are described. Attenuation values of normal, rotated, and adjacent collapsed lung lobes before and after intravenous contrast medium administration were compared. Affected lung lobes were: left cranial (5), right middle (3), right cranial (1), and left caudal (1). CT findings in nine dogs with complete lung lobe torsion included pleural effusion and an abruptly ending bronchus. In eight of these dogs, enlargement, consolidation, emphysema of the affected lung lobe, and mediastinal shift to the contralateral side were present. Rotated lung lobes did not enhance, whereas adjacent collapsed and aerated lung lobes did (P<0.05). Apnea induced with hyperventilation or breath‐hold is essential to reduce motion artefacts and obtain a diagnostic study.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF EOSINOPHILIC PULMONARY GRANULOMATOSIS IN FIVE DOGS

Canine pulmonary eosinophilic granulomatosis is a rare inflammatory pulmonary disease characterized by formation of eosinophilic granulomas that tend to obliterate the normal pulmonary architecture. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the CT characteristics of confirmed idiopathic pulmonary eosinophilic granulomatosis in a group of dogs. Five dogs met inclusion criteria. All patients were young adult dogs of variable breeds. No dog had concurrent occult heartworm disease. Computed tomographic characteristics most commonly included pulmonary masses and nodules of variable size, and lesions were most commonly located in the caudal lung lobes. Four dogs had large pulmonary masses with or without additional nodules and one dog had nodular lesions disseminated throughout the entire lung parenchyma. All large eosinophilic granulomas were smoothly margined, heterogeneous pulmonary masses displaying heterogeneous contrast enhancement. A honeycomb‐like enhancement pattern was observed in all but one mass and consisted of multiple hyperattenuating rims delineating central hypoattenuating areas, suggestive of bronchiectatic lung with peripheral enhancing airway walls and fluid‐filled, necrotic bronchial lumen. One dog had evidence of tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy. Findings indicated that canine eosinophilic pulmonary granulomatosis should be included as a differential diagnosis for dogs with CT characteristics of multiple pulmonary masses and/or nodules in caudal lung lobes, and a honeycomb‐like enhancement pattern in masses after intravenous administration of iodinated contrast medium.     

Use of computed tomography in the diseased feline thorax

Computed tomography (CT) scanning of the thorax is gaining more attention in veterinary medicine as therapeutic possibilities increase. Plain and contrast-enhanced CT images of the thorax of five referred cats with signs of respiratory disease were evaluated using soft tissue (pleural) and lung windows. The common CT pattern in all cats was involvement of the lung lobes, either as a homogeneous or heterogeneous single lobe hyperdensity. It involved the main bronchus, invaded the cranial or caudal mediastinum, and crossed the border to the opposite lung. Right lung atelectasis and mediastinal shift caused left lung overinflation. Bronchial lymph node enlargement was found unilaterally or bilaterally. CT-guided percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy of the lobar lung lesion was performed in four cats; in three cases it revealed carcinoma and in one inflammation, although the cat with suspected inflammation was subsequently found to have a carcinoma on lung lobectomy. Histopathology confirmed lung metastasis in one case and bronchial adenocarcinoma in four cases. A protocol for systematic examination of thoracic CT images is proposed.     

RADIOGRAPHY REVIEW: THE VASCULAR AND BRONCHIAL PATTERNS OF PULMONARY DISEASE

Pulmonary blood vessels account for the majority of radiographically visible structures in normal lung. The vascular pattern of pulmonary disease is characterized by changes in vessel size, shape, contour. Changes in size can be classified as hypo vasularity (decreased size) or hyper vascularity (increased size). The pulmonary arteries and veins may be affected separately or simultaneously. In normal lung, the bronchial structures peripheral to the hilar area are not seen clearly. The bronchial pattern of pulmonary disease is characterized by alteractions in bronchial wall thickness and dinsity, or in bronchial lumen diameter. Mixtures of the four lung patterns, i.e. , alveolar, interstitial, bronchial, and vascular, occur frequently. The lung radiographic pattern in an individual animal depends not only on the disease process present, but also on the stage of the disease during which they are radiographed.     

Assessment of the accuracy of thoracic radiography in the diagnosis of canine chronic bronchitis

Thoracic radiographs from 23 dogs with chronic bronchitis were mixed with those taken from 11 dogs (matched by age and bodyweight) without respiratory disease and interpreted twice by two blinded, independent examiners in an attempt to determine the accuracy of radiography for the diagnosis of chronic bronchitis. The only radiographic signs found more often in dogs with chronic bronchitis were thickening of the bronchial walls and increased numbers of visible bronchial walls (P<0·01). Other signs, including bronchial calcification and interstitial pattern, occurred with similar frequency in both groups of dogs. The examiners were consistent in their interpretations (kappa >0·64). The accuracy of radiographic diagnosis of chronic bronchitis is limited principally by insensitivity for bronchial lesions.     

Does the computed tomographic appearance of the lung differ between young and old dogs?

In computed tomographic (CT) images of humans, decreased lung attenuation, bronchial dilation, and/or thickening, air trapping, cysts, and thickened interlobular septa have been associated with increasing age. To determine if there are differences in the CT appearance of the lungs of young and old dogs that could affect interpretation of diagnostic studies, pulmonary CT images of dogs with conditions unrelated to the thorax were reviewed retrospectively in a case–control study. Computed tomography studies of 42 young dogs (range 0.3–4.8 years) and 47 old dogs (range 9–15.1 years) were jumbled and reviewed by an observer blinded to dog age. Computed tomography was performed under sedation in 62 (70%) dogs and under general anesthesia in 27 (30%). Heterotopic bone was more prevalent (62% vs. 14%) in old dogs. Lung collapse was significantly associated with old age, greater body weight, and anesthesia. There were no significant differences in median lung attenuation or occurrence of ground glass pattern, cysts, bronchial thickening, bronchial dilation, or degree of tracheal calcification. No examples of reticular pattern, emphysema, pleural thickening, or septal thickening were observed in any dog. Despite previous studies describing age‐related changes in the radiographic appearance of the lungs of old dogs, it appears that there are minimal observable differences in CT images. Old dogs are more likely to have visible foci of heterotopic bone and may be more prone to lung lobe collapse than young dogs, but neither of these differences should contribute to misdiagnosis of pulmonary disease.     

Study of lobation and vascularization of the lungs of wild boar (Sus scrofa)

The purpose of this study was to describe the anatomy of the lungs of wild boars for comparison with those of domestic swine. It was found that the right lung of the wild boar is divided into four lobes: cranial, median, caudal and accessory, whereas the left lung is divided into two lobes: cranial and caudal. In 93.4% of the cases, right pulmonary artery separates into the ascendant, descendant, median, accessory and caudal branches. In 73.3% of the cases, left pulmonary artery separates most frequently to form three branches to the cranial lobe, whereas the median lobe is generally supplied by only one arterial branch. There is a single pattern of bronchial distribution: in the right lung a tracheal bronchus leads to the cranial lobe, where it separates into the cranial and caudal bronchi and there are also bronchi to the median, caudal and accessory lobes. In the left lung, the large bronchus separates to form two branches, one of which further separates to form two branches to the cranial lobe whereas the other forms a single branch to the caudal lobe.     

Phenotyping of lumbosacral stenosis in Labrador retrievers using computed tomography

Deep phenotyping tools for characterizing preclinical morphological conditions are important for supporting genetic research studies. Objectives of this retrospective, cross‐sectional, methods comparison study were to describe and compare qualitative and quantitative deep phenotypic characteristics of lumbosacral stenosis in Labrador retrievers using computed tomography (CT). Lumbosacral CT scans and medical records were retrieved from data archives at three veterinary hospitals. Using previously published qualitative CT diagnostic criteria, a board‐certified veterinary radiologist assigned dogs as either lumbosacral stenosis positive or lumbosacral stenosis negative at six vertebral locations. A second observer independently measured vertebral canal area, vertebral fat area, and vertebral body area; and calculated ratios of vertebral canal area/vertebral body area and vertebral fat area/vertebral body area (fat area ratio) at all six locations. Twenty‐five dogs were sampled (lumbosacral stenosis negative, 11 dogs; lumbosacral stenosis positive, 14 dogs). Of the six locations, cranial L6 was the most affected by lumbosacral stenosis (33%). Five of six dogs (83%) with clinical signs of lumbosacral pain were lumbosacral stenosis positive at two or more levels. All four quantitative variables were significantly smaller at the cranial aspects of the L6 and L7 vertebral foramina than at the caudal aspects (P < 0.0001). Fat area ratio was a significant predictor of lumbosacral stenosis positive status at all six locations with cranial L6 having the greatest predictive value (R² = 0.43) and range of predictive probability (25–90%). Findings from the current study supported the use of CT as a deep phenotyping tool for future research studies of lumbosacral stenosis in Labrador retrievers.     

Macroscopic Anatomy of the Ringed Seal [Pusa (Phoca) hispida] Lower Respiratory System

This investigation serves to document the normal anatomical features of the lower respiratory tract of the ringed seal [Pusa (phoca) hispida]. Evaluation of embalmed specimens and tracheobronchial casts showed that the right lung of this seal consists of four lobes while the left has only three lobes. The ventral margins of the lungs do not reach the sternum causing them to form the boundary of the broad recessus costomediastinalis. Lung lobation corresponds with bronchial tree division. Pulmonary venous drainage includes right and left common veins draining ipsilateral cranial and middle lung lobes, and one common caudal vein draining both caudal lobes and the accessory lobe. The right and left pulmonary arteries divide into cranial and caudal branches at the level of the principal bronchus. The ringed seal has three tracheobronchial lymph nodes. The trachea has an average of 87 cartilages that exhibit a pattern of random anastomoses between adjacent rings. The trachea exhibits to a small degree the dorsoventrally flattened pattern that is described in other pinnipeds. The tracheal diameter is smaller than that of the canine.     

MEASUREMENTS OF THE PULMONARY VASCULATURE ON THORACIC RADIOGRAPHS IN HEALTHY DOGS COMPARED TO DOGS WITH MITRAL REGURGITATION

This study reassessed the previously reported radiographic method of comparing pulmonary vessels versus rib diameter for differentiating healthy dogs and dogs with mitral regurgitation. The width of the right cranial pulmonary artery and vein at the fourth rib level, right caudal pulmonary artery and vein at the ninth rib level, and the diameters of the fourth rib and ninth rib were measured in prospectively recruited healthy dogs (n = 40) and retrospectively recruited dogs with mitral regurgitation (n = 58). In healthy dogs, the pulmonary arteries and accompanying veins were similar in size. The cranial lobar vessels were smaller than the fourth rib. However, 67.5% of right caudal pulmonary artery diameters and 65% of vein diameters were larger than the ninth rib in healthy dogs. The right caudal pulmonary vein diameter in dogs with mitral regurgitation, particularly those within moderate and severe grades, was significantly larger than that in healthy dogs (P < 0.001). The comparative method used to detect enlargement of the right caudal pulmonary vein relative to the accompanying pulmonary artery had the highest sensitivity (80.2%) and specificity (82.5%) for predicting mitral regurgitation. A cut‐off of 1.22 when applying the ninth rib criterion had better specificity (73%) than the most used value ≤ 1 (89.7% sensitivity and 63.8% specificity), although it has less sensitivity (73%). We recommend using the accompanying pulmonary artery and 1.22 × the diameter of the ninth rib as a radiographic criterion for assessing the size of the right caudal pulmonary vein and differentiating healthy dogs from those with mitral regurgitation.     

Radiographic, computed tomographic, and ultrasonographic findings with migrating intrathoracic grass awns in dogs and cats.

The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical, radiographic, and computed tomographic findings in dogs and cats with migrating intrathoracic grass awns. Thirty-five dogs and five cats with visual confirmation of a grass awn following surgery, endoscopy or necropsy, and histology were assessed. The medical records and all diagnostic imaging studies were reviewed retrospectively. Labrador Retrievers or English Pointers < 5 years of age, with a history of coughing and hyperthermia, were the most common presentations. Seventeen animals had an inflammatory leukogram of which 14 had a left shift or toxic neutrophils. Radiographs were performed in 38 animals and computed tomography (CT) in 14. Thoracic radiographs were characterized by focal pulmonary interstitial to alveolar opacities (n = 26) that occurred most commonly in the caudal (n = 19) or accessory lobes (n = 8). Additional findings included pneumothorax (n = 9), pleural effusion (n = 8), and pleural thickening (n = 7). Pulmonary opacities identified on radiographs correlated to areas of pneumonia and foreign body location. CT findings included focal interstitial to alveolar pulmonary opacities (n = 12) most commonly in the right caudal lung lobe (n = 9), pleural thickening (n = 11), mildly enlarged intrathoracic lymph nodes (n = 10), soft tissue tracking (n = 7) with enhancing margins (n = 4), pneumothorax (n = 6), pleural effusion (n = 4), and foreign body visualization (n = 4). Histologic diagnoses included pulmonary and mediastinal granulomas or abscesses, bronchopneumonia, and pleuritis. Migrating intrathoracic grass awns should be considered as a differential diagnosis in coughing, febrile animals with focal interstitial to alveolar pulmonary opacities, pleural effusion, pleural thickening, and/or pneumothorax on radiographs or CT.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN 15 DOGS WITH EOSINOPHILIC BRONCHOPNEUMOPATHY

Eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy is a disease characterized by the infiltration of the lung and bronchial mucosa by eosinophils. The aim of the present study was to describe the CT findings in a large series of dogs with confirmed diagnosis of eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy. Computed tomographic scans of 15 dogs with confirmed diagnosis of eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy were evaluated retrospectively by two boarded radiologists who reached a consensus. Abnormalities were identified in 14/15 (93%) dogs, including pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities in 14/15 (93%) dogs, bronchial wall thickening in 13 (87%) dogs, which was considered marked in eight (53%), plugging of the bronchial lumen by mucus/debris in 11 (73%) dogs, and bronchiectasis in nine (60%) dogs. Pulmonary nodules were identified in 5/15 (33%) dogs including one dog with a mass. All dogs with a nodular lung pattern had additional abnormalities. Lymphadenopathy was present in 10 dogs (67%). Lesions associated with eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy are variable and heterogeneous and encompass a wider variety of computed tomographic features than reported previously. Computed tomographic images were abnormal in the majority of affected dogs, hence CT is a useful modality to characterize the nature and distribution of thoracic lesions in dogs with eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy.