Computed tomographic measurements of the trachea in dog

Computed tomographic examination of the trachea was performed on 18 mix-breed dogs. The measurements were taken from 5 segments from which the first 3 segments were extrathoracic trachea, 1 segment at the level of thoracic inlet and 1 segment intrathoracic trachea. The inner and outer transverse and vertical diameters were measured at each of the segments. The cross-sectional area of the lumen, ratio of the inner and outer transverse and vertical diameters were also calculated. It was seen that the diameters and cross-sectional area of the lumen decreased gradually in the extrathoracic trachea from larynx to thoracic inlet but these values showed an increase in the intrathoracic trachea. Correlation coefficients between the inner diameters, cross-sectional lumen areas and the body weight was calculated and a high correlation was found between the inner transverse and vertical diameters and the cross-sectional area of the lumen except between the inner transverse and vertical diameters at the level of S5 segment.     

Management of eyelid neoplasms in the dog and cat

Eyelid neoplasms are common in the older dog and typically benign. Eyelid neoplasms in the cat are less common and more often malignant. Resection of eyelid masses may be curative; however, restoration of the eyelid structure after mass excision is essential for maintaining long-term ocular surface health. Surgical techniques and instrumentation for eyelid surgery are reviewed. Indications, benefits. and limitations of sharp excision, cryotherapy, and laser excision and ablation are discussed. Neoplasia of the third eyelid is also discussed.     

3 gastrointestinal neoplasms in the dog]

In the last five years, 3 carcinomas of the intestine were found in a total of 1961 necropsies of dogs. One proved to be a primary gastric carcinoma situated in the area of the Curvatura minor, another a primary carcinoma of the ileocaecal valve and the third one a signet-cell carcinoma in the end of the jejunum. The morphological characteristics of the carcinomas are discussed.     

Automobile-induced obstruction of the intrathoracic caudal vena cava in a dog

A two-year-old labrador retriever was examined after a year's history of persistent ascites and exercise intolerance that began shortly after the dog was struck by an automobile. Contrast venography showed tortuosity of the intrathoracic caudal vena cava with partial obstruction caused by kinking of the vessel. Surgical resection of a fibrous connective band that was found to be tethering the intrathoracic vena cava ventrally, creating a partial obstruction, was performed. A hypothesis of the aetiology of this phenomenon is presented.     

Primary renal neoplasms of the dog.

Of 48 canine primary renal neoplasms found in the files of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, 36 were of tubular cell origin (five adenomas and 31 carcinomas), six of transitional cell origin (two papillomas and four carcinomas), two were nephroblastomas and four were nonepithelial. With the exception of nephroblastomas, renal neoplasms occurred in dogs older than 5 years and were most common in males. No breed predilection was apparent. Eight of the neoplasms were classified by histologic criteria as benign and 40 as malignant. Seventeen of the malignant neoplasms had metastasized. The neoplasms of tubular cell origin contained solid, tubular and papillary patterns, often mixed within the same tumor.     

Computed tomographic appearance of epidural empyema in a dog

The computed tomographic (CT) appearance of epidural empyema in a 5.5-month-old, intact male boxer dog is described. Epidural empyema was diagnosed by means of CT, surgery, and bacterial culture. The imaging and pathogenesis of epidural abscesses and the pitfalls of differentiating caudal fossa lesions from severe cranial cervical lesions are discussed.     

Castration for treatment of perianal gland neoplasms in the dog

Neoplasms of the perianal gland are common in the dog, particularly the male. Adenomas of the gland develop about 4.5 times more often than do carcinomas of the gland. The adenoma is hormone dependent; thus, castration without excision of the tumor has been successful in promoting regression without recurrence. Microscopic examination of the testes from dogs with perianal gland neoplasms has revealed 1 in 10 with tubular atrophy and 1 in 3 with testicular neoplasia. Interstitial cell tumors have been seen more often than other cell types of testis tumors.     

Xanthogranulomatous inflammation of the small bowel in a dog

A case of xanthogranulomatous inflammation of the small bowel in a 12-year-old male American Staffordshire Terrier is described. Disseminated yellow-white nodules 2 to 3 mm in diameter bulging on the serosal surface of the small bowel, as well as on mesenteric tissue, were detected. Histopathologic examination revealed a nodular collection of foamy cells, mainly involving serosal and muscular layers, associated with necrotic areas, hemorrhages, neovascularization, variable numbers of reactive spindle cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and rare multinucleated giant cells. Transmural lymphangectasia and mucosal lymphoplasmacytic inflammation were also observed. Both Oil Red O stain and ultrastructural study revealed lipid droplets in the cytoplasm of foamy cells. Lysozyme immunoreactivity was detected in single as well as in clustered foamy cells, while smooth muscle actin was positive in spindle cells and scattered foamy elements. Lymphangectasia associated with lymphoplasmacytic enteritis suggests a component of lymphatic fluid stasis in the pathogenesis of such lesions.     

Computed tomographic findings of ceroid lipofuscinosis in a dog.

A two-year and seven-month-old, castrated male border collie was presented for a two-month history of progressive neurological signs including blindness, ataxia, dementia, and partial seizures. A complete blood count, serum biochemical profile, urinalysis, thoracic radiographs, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis were within reference ranges. Computed tomography (CT) of the brain showed dilatation of the ventricles and atrophy of the cerebral cortex. A central nervous system (CNS) storage disease was suspected, and the dog was euthanized due to a poor prognosis. Light and electron microscopic examination revealed neuronal degeneration with pigment accumulation in neurons of the CNS, in ganglia of the peripheral nervous system, and in several non-nervous tissues. Ceroid lipofuscinosis was diagnosed based on the microscopic and ultrastructural lesions detected. This is the second report of CT findings in a canine clinical patient with ceroid lipofuscinosis.     

Comparison of computed tomographic and standard radiographic determination of tibial torsion in the dog

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of internal tibial rotation on the computed tomographic (CT) and standard radiographic assessment of tibial torsion (TT) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Cadaveric canine hind limbs (6 pairs). METHODS: The cranial cruciate ligament was transected, and caudo-cranial radiographic and transverse CT images were obtained with the femur and tibiae in a neutral position, and after 15 degrees internal tibial rotation. Radiographic TT was determined by measuring the distance (d) between the calcaneus and the sulcus of the talus. CT determination of TT was performed using the proximal transcondylar and the distal cranial tibial axes. The distance (d) in the 2 groups and the difference in the CT determination of TT between groups were compared with a hypothetical mean value of 0 mm and 0 degrees, respectively. RESULTS: The mean distance (d) for the neutral radiographic group was not significantly different from 0 (P=.473); however, for the 15 degree group it was significantly different (P<.0001). The difference in the CT determination of TT did not differ from 0 (P=.317). CONCLUSION: The standard radiographic technique does not discriminate between internal TT and internal rotation of the tibia. Thus, dogs with normal tibial conformation can be depicted by radiography as torsed, whereas dogs with TT may be misinterpreted as normal because of arbitrary positioning. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Lateral displacement of the medial border of the calcaneus on a caudo-cranial radiograph should not be used as the sole arbiter of TT before surgical correction.     

Clinical and radiographic signs in primary and metastatic esophageal neoplasms of the dog.

Esophageal neoplasms were diagnosed in 8 of 49,229 dogs seen over the last 11 years at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the University of California at Davis. The neoplasms were primary in 2 dogs and metastatic to the esophagus in 6 dogs, with thyroid carcinoma being the most common site of the primary tumor. The most common clinical signs were regurgitation, dysphagia, weight loss, development of neck masses, and respiratory difficulties. It was concluded that the clinical signs often can be misleading. The interpretation of survey radiographs, barium contrast studies, or fluoroscopic studies often provide the initial data base. The final diagnosis requires histologic examination. Retention of air in the esophagus (with or without esophageal displacement) and motor dysfunction (with or without gross morphologic changes) are the most important criteria for radiographic diagnosis.     

Gastric neoplasms in the dog: a report of 20 cases.

Twenty dogs with gastric tumors were admitted to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Hospital and Diagnostic Laboratory from 1951 to 1974. The tumors included 14 carcinomas, 3 lymphosarcomas, 2 leiomyomas, and 1 leiomyosarcoma. The carcinomas were categorized morphologically as carcinoma (5), adenocarcinoma (2), scirrhous carcinoma (5), and scirrhous adenocarcinoma (2). Most of the tumors were located in the body and pylorus. Ulceration occurred in 11 dogs, with 2 ulcers penetrating and resulting in peritonitis. Metastasis occurred in 4 of the dogs. The mean age of the dogs was 9.7 years. The male-to-female ratio was 12 to 8. There was no significant breed predominance. The mean duration of illness was 2.14 months. Radiographic features were consistent with gastric neoplasia in 2 of 6 dogs radiographed.