Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Imaging lung lobe torsion in dogs and cats with CT and bronchoscopy
By Schultz, R M et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2009·Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Radiography, computed tomography and virtual bronchoscopy in four dogs and two cats with lung lobe torsion.
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old Beagle and a 7-year-old domestic shorthair cat were both brought in for breathing problems and coughing. After imaging tests, they were diagnosed with lung lobe torsion, a serious condition where a part of the lung twists and can block airflow. The veterinarians used advanced imaging techniques like computed tomography (CT) and virtual bronchoscopy, which showed clear signs of bronchial narrowing and lung damage. These methods helped confirm the diagnosis more effectively than traditional X-rays. Both pets underwent surgery to correct the torsion and were able to recover well afterward.
People also search for: dog breathing problems lung torsion · cat coughing lung issues · Beagle lung surgery recovery
Abstract
This report describes the imaging features of radiography, computed tomography and virtual bronchoscopy in dogs and cats with lung lobe torsions. The medical records, thoracic radiographs and computed tomography images of four dogs and two cats with confirmed lung lobe torsions were retrospectively reviewed. Computed tomography with virtual bronchoscopy showed bronchial narrowing, collapse or occlusion in all six animals, while this was only appreciated on one radiographic examination. A tapering terminating angle of the air-filled bronchus proximal or distal to the collapsed region was seen only on computed tomography and virtual bronchoscopy in all six animals. The vesicular emphysema pattern typical of lung lobe torsion was seen on three computed tomographies but only on one radiographic examination. The lung lobe torsion-specific findings of vesicular emphysema and a proximally narrowed or occluded bronchus were more easily recognised on computed tomography and virtual bronchoscopy than with radiographs. Computed tomography slices acquired through the bronchus and lung lobe of interest in a cat or dog with possible lung lobe torsion can be reformatted into virtual bronchoscopic images that can be utilised along with computed tomography to help make a more definitive preoperative diagnosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19508491/