Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
CT sentinel clot sign helps find bleeding organs in dogs with blood
By Specchi, Swan et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2017·Diagnostic Imaging Service of the Istituto Veterinario di Novara, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: EVALUATION OF THE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC "SENTINEL CLOT SIGN" TO IDENTIFY BLEEDING ABDOMINAL ORGANS IN DOGS WITH HEMOABDOMEN.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with internal bleeding (hemoabdomen) underwent CT scans to identify the source of their bleeding using a technique called the "sentinel clot sign." This sign was found in 14 out of 16 dogs, indicating it can be a useful tool for veterinarians to pinpoint where the bleeding is coming from. The study suggests that this method could help in diagnosing and treating dogs with serious abdominal bleeding more effectively.
People also search for: dog hemoabdomen treatment · dog internal bleeding symptoms · CT scan for dog bleeding abdomen
Abstract
The CT "sentinel clot sign" has been defined as the highest attenuation hematoma adjacent to a bleeding organ in humans with hemoabdomen. The aims of this retrospective descriptive multicenter study were to describe CT findings in a sample of dogs with surgically or necropsy confirmed intra-abdominal bleeding and determine prevalence of the "sentinel clot sign" adjacent to the location of bleeding. Medical records between 2012 and 2014 were searched for dogs with hemoabdomen and in which the origin of the bleeding was confirmed either with surgery or necropsy. Retrieved CT images were reviewed for the presence and localization of the "sentinel clot sign," HU measurements of the "sentinel clot sign" and hemoabdomen, and presence of extravasation of contrast media within the abdominal cavity. Nineteen dogs were included. Three dogs were excluded due to the low amount of blood that did not allow the identification of a "sentinel clot sign." A "sentinel clot sign" was detected in the proximity of the confirmed bleeding organ in 14/16 (88%) of the patients. The mean HU of the "sentinel clot sign" was 56 (range: 43-70) while that of the hemoabdomen was 34 (range: 20-45). Active hemorrhage was identified as extravasation of contrast medium within the peritoneal cavity from the bleeding organ in three dogs. In conclusion, the CT "sentinel clot sign" may be helpful for identifying the source of bleeding in dogs with hemoabdomen.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27790793/