Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
CT and X-ray signs of aortic damage in 42 dogs with spirocercosis
By Kirberger, Robert M et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2013·Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Computed tomographic and radiographic characteristics of aortic lesions in 42 dogs with spirocercosis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old mixed-breed dog was brought in for vomiting and regurgitation, which can be signs of serious health issues. The dog was diagnosed with spirocercosis, a parasitic infection that can lead to dangerous aortic problems. Advanced imaging techniques, like CT scans, revealed that many dogs with this condition had aortic mineralization and aneurysms, which can be life-threatening. The study highlighted that CT scans are much better than regular X-rays for spotting these issues. Treatment options would depend on the specific findings, but early detection is crucial for the best outcome.
People also search for: dog vomiting and regurgitation · spirocercosis in dogs · aortic aneurysm treatment in dogs
Abstract
Spirocerca lupi is a common cause of vomiting, regurgitation, and sudden death in dogs that live in tropical or subtropical regions. Sudden death due to aortic rupture may occur with no preceding clinical signs. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) characteristics of aortic lesions in a cohort of 42 dogs with endoscopically confirmed spirocercosis. Dorsoventral and right lateral recumbent thoracic radiographic findings were compared with pre- and postcontrast thoracic CT findings. Aortic mineralization was detected using CT in 18/42 dogs (43%). Three dogs had faint diffuse aortic wall mineralization. Using CT as the reference standard, radiographs had a sensitivity and specificity of 6% and 96%, respectively, for detecting aortic mineralization. A total of 20 aortic aneurysms were detected using CT in 15/42 dogs (36%). Using CT as the reference standard, radiographs had a sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 56%, respectively, for detecting aortic aneurysms. Respiratory motion, aortic displacement by esophageal masses and Spirocerca nodules adjacent to the aorta mimicked aneurysm formation on radiographs. Aortic thrombi were seen in two dogs in postcontrast CT images. Findings from this study indicated that aortic mineralization and aneurysm formation are common in dogs with spirocercosis. Findings also supported the use of pre- and postcontrast CT as effective methods for detecting and characterizing these lesions.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23441724/