Management of advanced tracheal collapse in dogs using intraluminal self-expanding biliary wallstents

Twenty-four client-owned dogs with tracheal collapse refractory to conventional treatment underwent management with an intraluminal self-expanding stainless-steel endoprosthesis (Wallstent). Initial improvement of clinical signs was observed in 95.8% of the dogs. Two dogs (8.3%) died within a median interval of 6 days after stent implantation due to incorrect placement and size of the stent and emphysema, respectively. A dry cough occurred temporarily in most of the patients. One dog each (4.1%) suffered mild transient tracheal hemorrhage and pneumomediastinum. The results showed that the initial survival rate of intraluminal stabilization was comparable with surgical implantation of extratracheal prostheses. Clinical reevaluation was performed in 18 dogs within a median interval of 68 days after treatment. Of the dogs treated, 30.4% were reported to be asymptomatic after stent implantation, 60.9% improved markedly, and 4.3% remained symptomatic. In all patients undergoing endoscopy, the Wallstents were almost completely covered with tracheal epithelium. A median shortening of 27.3% of the endoprosthesis within a median interval of 175 days after stent implantation in 15 of 18 dogs was noted. The shortening was associated with clinical signs in 2 patients. In 5 dogs, steroid-responsive granuloma formation resulted in a severe reduction of the tracheal lumen in 3 patients. The results suggest that implantation of Wallstents was minimally invasive and provided stabilization of collapsed thoracic tracheal portions in addition to the cervical part of the trachea. This minimally invasive method for the management of severe tracheal collapse therefore provides an attractive alternative to surgery.     

The use of intraluminal stents for tracheal collapse in two horses: Case management and long‐term treatment

Tracheal collapse is an uncommon clinical disorder in horses but when present can be difficult to correct. Various medical and surgical procedures to correct tracheal collapse have been described in horses with variable success. Recently, the use of an intraluminal stent has been described as a treatment for tracheal collapse in a miniature horse. The long‐term management, utilising intraluminal stents, in 2 miniature horses with tracheal collapse is presented here. In particular, various complications as a result of intraluminal stent placement are described, the most persistent being the formation of granulation tissue at various regions of the stents. Multiple methods of combating granulation tissue in this situation also are discussed.     

Use of fibrin sealant in a horse with an intratracheal dorsal laceration

Dorsal intratracheal laceration was diagnosed in a horse with severe subcutaneous emphysema. Due to the size of the defect and the severity of the symptoms, different methods were attempted to close the laceration. The use of a fibrin sealant is described together with a discussion about other potential treatments and options for this rare condition in the horse.     

16SrDNA实时荧光定量PCR检测DPV强毒感染鸭气管及消化道大肠杆菌动力学

参照Genebank大肠埃希氏菌属(E.coli)16SrDNA保守基因序列设计并合成定量PCR引物及针对大肠杆菌属的Taqman探针,以E.coli标准菌株的PCR扩增产物作为阳性模板制作标准曲线,建立检测E.coli的定量PCR方法。该法Mg2+最佳工作浓度5 mmol/L,能够定量和特异检测E.coli而对肠道优势菌群的代表种葡萄球菌、双歧杆菌呈阴性。检测E.coli的灵敏度可达3个/mL。利用该法对DPV强毒感染鸭急性病例的气管和消化道E.coli检测,结果表明:气管E.coli数量普遍低于对照。食道波动巨大,普遍高于对照;十二指肠、空肠变化不明显;回肠波动巨大,总体高于对照;盲肠显著低于对照;直肠与对照差异不显著。DPV感染致死鸭的气管E.coli数量显著低于对照;食道和十二指肠极显著高于对照;空肠、回肠和盲肠均略高于对照;直肠略低于对照。     

Tracheal chondrosarcoma in a blue tegu (Salvator merianae)

An 8-year-and-1-month-old female blue tegu (Salvator merianae) was brought to a clinician with severe cough. The patient died 11 days later despite supportive care, and necropsy was performed by a clinician. The lumen of the distal trachea was almost completely occluded by a milk-white, hard mass measuring 1 cm in diameter. Histopathologically, the mass comprised spindle-shaped to polygonal cells arranged in a loose sheet with abundant production of basophilic cartilaginous matrix, consistent with chondrosarcoma. Reports of tracheal neoplasms in reptiles are limited, and to the best of our knowledge this represents the first pathological documentation of tracheal chondrosarcoma in a reptile.     

Measurement of tracheal diameters using ultrasonography versus computed tomography in Beagle dogs

ObjectiveTo compare ultrasonography with computed tomography (CT) for assessment of tracheal diameter as a feasibility study for endotracheal tube selection.Study designProspective study.AnimalsA total of nine Beagle dogs with a median (interquartile range) weight of 7.4 (7.2–7.7) kg.MethodsTracheal diameter measurements were obtained at two locations: 1 cm proximal to caudal border of the cricoid cartilage (sublaryngeal; SL) and dorsal to above cranial border of the manubrium (thoracic inlet; TI). For CT, dogs were anesthetized with propofol and sevoflurane, in sternal recumbency, and measurements obtained after controlled ventilation–induced apnea and the endotracheal tube cuff was deflated. Transverse diameter, right and left 45° oblique diameters were measured. For ultrasonography, unsedated dogs were standing with slight neck extension, and images obtained in ventrodorsal, 45° right and left oblique ways after expiration. Diameters between the tracheal lumen mucosal borders were measured. The degree of agreement between the tracheal diameters measured at SL and TI locations with CT (TD_CT-SL and TD_CT-TI) and ultrasonography (TD_US-SL and TD_US-TI) was verified using the Bland-Altman method.ResultsThe agreement between the measurements obtained with CT and ultrasonography was revealed by Bland-Altman analyses, although ultrasonography tended to slightly underestimate the tracheal diameter.Conclusions and clinical relevanceUltrasonography can be applied for tracheal diameter measurement. Although further studies are required, an endotracheal tube selection method, using ultrasonography, could be proposed.     

Tracheal rupture in a native pony mare associated with a condition resembling tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica

A 5‐year‐old pony presented with sudden onset of severe respiratory distress associated with tracheal rupture and peritracheal emphysema. Subsequent endoscopic examination revealed multiple mucosal nodules protruding into the tracheal lumen. Biopsy of the tracheal wall revealed well‐demarcated submucosal cartilagenous/osseous nodules. The appearance was considered to resemble tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica.