Suspected Tension Pneumomediastinum In A Dog: A Case Report

Successful resuscitation of a trauma-induced, suspected tension pneumomediastinum in a dog is presented. The cause was a caudal cervical penetration wound which acted as a one-way valve allowing air to enter, but not exit, the cranial mediastium. Early in the course of hospitalization, respiratory and cardiovascular collapse occurred; an emergent parasternotomy allowed decompression of the mediastinum, and the cradiovascular system immediately responded. The dog made a complete recovery following surgical exploration and removal of contaminated mediastinal tissue. Nine days of intensive care included 24-hour monitoring, oxygen therapy, intravenous crystalloids and colloids, continuous pleural suctioning, nutritional support, antibiotics, and pain control.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY OF TRACTION BRONCHIECTASIS SECONDARY TO PULMONARY FIBROSIS IN A PATTERDALE TERRIER

An 8‐year‐old, Patterdale terrier was referred for evaluation of tachypnoea, exercise intolerance, and weight loss. Computed tomographic images showed pneumomediastinum, diffuse pulmonary ground glass opacity, and marked dilatation of peripheral bronchi, but no evidence of thickened bronchial walls. The histopathologic diagnosis was diffuse pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, type II pneumocyte hyperplasia, and bronchiectasis. The lack of evidence of primary bronchitis supported a diagnosis of traction bronchiectasis. Traction bronchiectasis can occur as a sequela to pulmonary fibrosis in dogs.     

Computed tomographic findings in a Bluetick Coonhound with a longitudinal thoracic tracheal tear

A 9‐year‐old intact male Bluetick Coonhound presented for progressive subcutaneous emphysema of 5 days’ duration due to a suspected tracheal tear. Cervical computed tomography (CT) and thoracic CT were performed after failure to identify the tracheal tear with tracheoscopy. A longitudinal tracheal tear was identified starting 4.3 cm cranial to the tracheal bifurcation and extending caudally over a distance of 3.6 cm. Severe pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema, and retroperitoneal gas were also present. A follow‐up CT 7 days postoperatively confirmed the successful repair of the tear with partial resolution of the presurgical secondary pathology and the patient recovered uneventfully.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—SPONTANEOUS PNEUMOMEDIASTINUM SECONDARY TO PRIMARY PULMONARY PATHOLOGY IN A DALMATIAN DOG

A 1.5‐year‐old, 23 kg intact male Dalmatian dog was evaluated for acute respiratory insufficiency without a previous history of trauma or toxic exposition. Imaging revealed pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, diffuse unstructured interstitial pulmonary pattern, pulmonary interstitial emphysema, and pneumoretroperitoneum. Histopathological evaluation of the lungs revealed perivascular and peribronchial emphysema, mild lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia with atypical proliferation of type II pneumocytes in bronchioles and alveoli. A lung disease resembling fibrosing interstitial pneumonia in man and cats has been previously reported in Dalmatians and should be included as a differential diagnosis for Dalmatians with this combination of clinical and imaging characteristics.     

Axillary wounds in horses and the development of subcutaneous emphysema,pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax

Equine axillary wounds are common in horses. Severe and potentially life‐threatening complications that can result from axillary wounds include subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax. This report describes the occurrence of these complications and appropriate treatment. Case records of 7 horses after sustaining an axillary wound are reviewed. Of these cases, all 7 developed subcutaneous emphysema, 5 developed a pneumomediastinum and 4 developed a pneumothorax. The time between the wound occurrence and the development of subcutaneous emphysema was able to be determined in 5 of the 7 cases. The mean ± s.d. time for the development of subcutaneous emphysema following initial injury was 3.2 ± 0.84 days (range 2–4 days). Resolution of subcutaneous emphysema was not achieved until the treatment included packing the wound to stop it from acting as a one‐way valve. Horses with a pneumothorax in respiratory distress were managed with thoracocentesis or placement of thoracic drains. Horses with a pneumothorax but without respiratory distress were treated with conservative management. All horses survived to discharge.