Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with megaesophagus got pneumonia after barium swallow test
By J.A. Barrera-Zarate et al.·Published in Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Barium sulphate aspiration pneumonia in a cat with megaesophagus and dextroposition of the aortic arch: case report
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 6-month-old female cat developed severe breathing problems after accidentally inhaling a large amount of barium sulfate during a diagnostic procedure for megaesophagus (a condition where the esophagus is enlarged and does not function properly). Despite surgery to correct an underlying heart issue, the cat's condition worsened, leading to respiratory distress and ultimately death a few days later. The barium sulfate was found in her lungs, causing aspiration pneumonia, which is a serious lung infection. Unfortunately, the treatment did not save her life.
People also search for: cat breathing problems after surgery · megaesophagus in cats · aspiration pneumonia treatment in cats
Abstract
ABSTRACT A six-month-old female cat suffered aspiration of an abundant amount of barium sulfate during a radiographic procedure for the diagnosis of megaesophagus. Latero-lateral contrast radiography revealed severe dilation of the thoracic esophagus cranial to the base of the heart. Persistence of the right aortic arch was suspected and later confirmed during corrective surgery. Accumulation of barium sulfate, used as a contrast agent, was clearly observed in the lumen of the bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli in the radiographic image. Days after the surgery, the animal developed severe respiratory distress, which resulted in death. Cytology results and histology analysis using polarized light demonstrated that the lumen of bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli exhibited evident histiocytic infiltration with cytoplasm filled by abundant amorphous refractive granular material consistent with barium sulfate. In this report, we describe the anatomical, cytological, histopathological (using polarized light), and x-ray findings of a case of barium sulfate aspiration pneumonia in a cat resulting from the use of this contrast medium for the diagnosis of megaesophagus secondary to persistent right aortic arch.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4162-10059