Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
CT scan shows twisted intestines in a German shorthaired pointer
By Chow, Kathleen Ella et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2014·From the Department of Radiology, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Imaging diagnosis--Use of multiphasic contrast-enhanced computed tomography for diagnosis of mesenteric volvulus in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old German shorthaired pointer collapsed and had bloody diarrhea, prompting an emergency visit to the vet. X-rays and ultrasound revealed severely distended small intestines and blocked blood vessels. A special CT scan showed a "whirl sign," indicating a twisted intestine, which was confirmed during surgery. Unfortunately, most of the small intestine was damaged and discolored, leading to the difficult decision to euthanize the dog. The cause was identified as a congenital issue related to a remnant of fetal tissue.
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Abstract
A 4-year-old German shorthaired pointer presented with collapse and hematochezia. Radiographs showed gas and fluid-distended small intestines and loss of serosal detail. Ultrasound examination showed hypomotile, fluid-distended small intestines, and thrombosed jejunal veins. Multiphasic contrast-enhanced computed tomography was performed and showed a CT "whirl sign," an important but nonspecific sign of intestinal volvulus in human patients. At surgery, the majority of the small intestine was entangled in the volvulus and showed black discoloration. The patient was euthanized. Postmortem evaluation yielded a diagnosis of jejunoileal mesenteric volvulus secondary to a congenital omphalomesenteric duct remnant.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23721282/