IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—POSITIVE CONTRAST PERITONEOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF TRUE DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA

A true diaphragmatic hernia is a congenital diaphragmatic malformation that can appear identical to a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH). True diaphragmatic hernias are rare in dogs. Herein we describe the use of positive contrast peritoneography for diagnosis of a true diaphragmatic hernia in two dogs.     

USE OF ULTRASOUND TO DIAGNOSE DIAPHRAGMATIC RUPTURE IN DOGS AND CATS

Twenty-one cats and six dogs that presented to a first-opinion clinic with signs of dyspnea and muffled cardiac auscultation received ultrasonography to look for signs of diaphragmatic rupture. The presence or absence of diaphragmatic rupture was subsequently determined on the basis of unequivocal radiographic signs, surgical findings, or necropsy. Consistent findings in animals with diaphragmatic rupture were irregular or asymmetric cranial aspect of the liver and abdominal viscera in the thorax. Accuracy of ultrasonography was 25/27 (93%). One false-negative result occurred in a cat with a chronic diaphragmatic rupture in which adhesions between the liver and lung simulated the appearance of an intact diaphragm. One false-positive result occurred in a dog with an abscess involving the left lung and pleural cavity, which was misinterpreted as the stomach. The results of this study support use of ultrasonography in animals with suspected diaphragmatic rupture.     

DISSEMINATED HISTOPLASMOSIS WITH OSSEOUS LESIONS IN A CAT WITH FELINE LYMPHOSARCOMA

A cat was presented with a non-weight-bearing lameness of the left thoracic limb, painful joints and lymphadenopathy. Marked bilateral osteolysis of the distal radial and ulnar metaphyses was detected radiographically. A post mortem diagnosis of disseminated histoplasmosis and feline lymphosarcoma was made.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS-SMALL BOWEL INFARCTION IN A CAT

An 8-year-old, domestic short hair cat with a known history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and previous aortic thromboembolism was presented for 24 h of vomiting and pyrexia. Initial abdominal radiographs were unremarkable. On an upper gastrointestinal series, delayed gastric emptying and prolonged small intestinal transit time were found. An initial abdominal ultrasound revealed a focal region of aperistaltic small intestine with mild wall thickening, however, intestinal wall layering in this area appeared normal. By 72 h, there was a diffusely hypoechoic portion of thickened small bowel (0.51 cm) with loss of the normal layering and hyperechoic mesentery surrounding this segment of bowel. A small bowel infarction and focal peritonitis were suspected and confirmed at surgery.     

SELECTIVE ABDOMINAL ANGIOGRAPHY AS A DIAGNOSTIC METHOD FOR DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA IN THE DOG: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Difficulty in recognition of some diaphragmatic hernias in dogs have stimulated the authors to develop a diagnostic method consisting of selective angiography of the cranial mesenteric and celiac arteries. The basis for the experimen was that each herniated visceral organ is usually displaced with its vessels. The experiment was carried out on 14 mongrel dogs. Four dogs served as controls. Different kinds of diaphragmatic hernias were surgically created in 10 dogs. Survey abdominal radiographs, gastrointestinal tract contrast studies and selective abdominal angiography were performed 14 days later. In angiograms of dogs with omental diaphragmatic hernias, displacement of branches of the left gastroepiploic artery into the thorax was seen. In angiograms of dogs with hepatic diaphragmatic hernias, branches of the common hepatic artery were seen to enter the thorax. In dogs with herniated small intestine, the jejunal branches of the cranial mesenteric artery were seen entering the thorax. Potential possibilities of selective abdominal angiography for diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernias are discussed.     

TREATMENT OF DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA IN BUFFALOES

The surgical treatment of diaphragmatic hernia attempted on 19 lactating buffaloes is described. Thirteen cases recovered uneventfully, 1 recovered after developing brisket oedema and 5 died, 3 during surgery and 2 postoperatively. The desired depth of anaesthesia was achieved by the administration of 6% chloral hydrate followed by 5% thiopentone sodium. A postxiphoid approach and the use of a continuous lock stitch suture were preferred to repair the vent in the diaphragm. Pre- and post-operative use of hydrocortisones and fluids and sufficient tissue oxygenation by controlled positive pressure respiration are believed to be keys to the success of the treatment adopted.     

DISCOSPONDYLITIS IN A CAT

The incidence and causative agents of discospondylitis in cats are unknown. This report describes a cat with radiologic changes consistent with discospondylitis and concurrent urinary tract infection. As in dogs, discospondylitis should be the primary rule out for vertebral end plate lysis in cats.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF A NEURONAL HETEROTOPIA IN THE BRAIN OF A CAT

A domestic shorthair kitten was presented for evaluation and further treatment of seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a large multilobulated mass in the third ventricle extending into the right lateral ventricle with secondary obstructive hydrocephalus. The mass was homogeneously isointense to gray matter on T2W, T2‐FLAIR, T2^*W, T1W, and ADC images, and hyperintense on DW‐EPI. There was no appreciable contrast enhancement. Seizures were managed medically and with subsequent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. Clinical status later deteriorated and the cat was euthanized. Histopathology confirmed that the mass was the result of neuronal heterotopia. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first report of neuronal heterotopia in a cat.     

IDIOPATHIC MEDIASTINAL CYST IN A CAT

A thirteen year old neutered female Domestic Shorthair cat with oral squamous cell carcinoma was noted to have a cranial mediastinal mass on survey thoracic radiographs. Fluoroscopic aspiration was performed and cystic fluid was obtained which was clear colorless, and devoid of cells, with a specific gravity of 1.005 and protein <2.5 mg/dl. On postmortem examination, a unilocular cyst was identified originating from the external lateral surface of the cranial mediastinum. Histologically, the cyst lining was nonciliated and resembled mesothelium. These findings differentiate this cyst from previously reported branchial cysts in cats where the cysts were multiloculated, the cyst fluid was mucinous and cellular, and the cysts were lined by ciliated columnar epithelial cells.     

MINERALIZED ARTERIOSCLEROSIS IN A CAT

In radiographs of a domestic short haired cat of unknown age, mineralization was identified in the pulmonary parenchyma, peripheral pulmonary vessels, the aortic outflow tract, aortic valve, celiac artery, cranial mesenteric artery, and the internal and external iliac arteries. The diffuse arterial mineralization was characterized histopathologically as arteriosclerosis. This is the first report of mineralized arteriosclerosis in a cat with corresponding radiographic signs. The arteriosclerosis is thought to be due to systemic hypertension but a definitive cause for the profound mineralization was not found. Causes of soft tissue mineralization are reviewed.     

LINEAR OSTEOCHONDROMATOSIS IN A CAT

A domestic shorthair cat was presented with quadriparesis and lumbar hyperesthesia that progressed over 4 months. There were linear and amorphous radiopaque masses throughout the soft tissue surrounding the long bones, vertebral bodies, ribs, pelvis, and scapula. The diagnosis of osteochondromatosis was confirmed by histopathology. Unlike previously reported patients with osteochondromatosis, most of the calcified masses in this cat were not connected to the periosteum; some were linear and were arranged parallel to the long bones involved.     

CALCIUM OXALATE URETEROLITH IN A CAT

A 4-year-old cat was presented for polyuria and polydipsia. Unilateral hydronephorosis and hydroureter was diagnosed on ultrasound examination of the abdomen, and right ureteral calculi were seen in survey abdominal radiographs. Intravenous urography confirmed hydronephrosis and indicated poor renal funttion in the right kidney. Surgical removal of the ureteral calculus improved right renal function. Analysis of the calculus indicated composition of calcium oxalate, an uncommon calculus in cats.     

CONGENITAL ELBOW SUBLUXATION IN A CAT

Congenital elbow luxations are responsible for 17-20% of nontraumatic lameness of the elbow joint. They are not associated with a growth disorder or trauma. Congenital elbow luxation has been observed in dogs, but no data were found about this condition in cats. In this report, we describe congenital bilateral elbow subluxation in a cat.     

UNUSUAL HYPERPARATHYROIDISM IN A CAT

A 5 month-old, male, domestic short hair cat was presented with inappetence and vomiting. it was depressed and reluctant to move. The cat had difficulties in keeping the standing position and grossly deformed thighs. Lytic changes and disruption of normal architecture of the bone were observed, involving mainly the femoral diaphyses. An inverse Ca/P ratio and kidney failure were diagnosed. The possibility of whether the bone changes could have been related to primary or secondary renal hyperparathyroidism is discussed.