Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Imaging signs of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in a dog
By Cummings, Annelise C 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 Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Imaging diagnosis--pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A young dog was brought in for blue-tinged gums and signs of heart failure. X-rays and CT scans showed an enlarged heart and lungs filled with fluid, along with liver swelling and fluid in the abdomen. Further tests revealed chronic lung inflammation, and unfortunately, the dog was diagnosed with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP), a serious lung disease. Sadly, the dog did not survive, but this case highlights the importance of recognizing the symptoms and imaging signs of PAP in dogs.
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Abstract
A young dog was presented for cyanosis and right heart failure. Radiographic and CT characteristics included right heart/pulmonary artery enlargement, hepatomegaly, abdominal effusion, and severe, generalized air-space filling. Focal increased opacities were present in the peripheral lung, as were multiple pulmonary blebs and bullae. Echocardiographic findings were consistent with cor pulmonale and pulmonary hypertension. Bronchoscopic findings were consistent with chronic inflammation. Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) was confirmed at necropsy. Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is an interstitial lung disease that results in accumulation of phospholipoproteinaceous material and should be included as a differential diagnosis for dogs with these clinical and imaging characteristics.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23600448/