Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Paraesophageal empyema in dogs linked to mediastinal cavity changes
By Gendron, Karine et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2018·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The pathogenesis of paraesophageal empyema in dogs and constancy of radiographic and computed tomography signs are linked to involvement of the mediastinal serous cavity.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of five large-breed dogs was diagnosed with a serious condition called paraesophageal empyema, where pus builds up in the chest cavity near the esophagus. Symptoms included breathing difficulties and signs of lung disease, which were confirmed through surgery and imaging tests like CT scans. During surgery, some dogs had plant material found in their chest, and others showed signs of pneumonia. Treatment involved surgical procedures to remove the infected areas, and the imaging tests helped the vets understand the extent of the problem. The dogs received appropriate care and were treated for their conditions.
People also search for: dog breathing problems · large breed dog pneumonia treatment · paraesophageal empyema in dogs
Abstract
The mediastinal serous cavity is a normal anatomic space in the caudal mediastinum. Aims of this anatomic and case series study were to describe the signs of pathologic expansion of the mediastinal serous cavity observed during computed tomography (CT), review the underlying anatomy, perform a literature review, and evaluate the medical records of several dogs with mediastinal serous cavity empyema (paraesophageal empyema). The mesothelial lined mediastinal serous cavity is a cranial extension of the omental bursa, separated from the peritoneal cavity by the diaphragm, in the dorsal part of the caudal mediastinum, to the right of the esophagus, between the heart base and diaphragm. In five adult, large-breed dogs with surgically and histologically confirmed paraesophageal empyema, macroscopic plant material was found at surgery in two dogs, adherence to adjacent lung was present in three different dogs, accessory lobectomy was performed in two dogs with subacute-chronic pyogranulomatous pneumonia, and one dog had concurrent pyothorax and mediastinitis, but none had esophageal abnormalities. This study expands our understanding of the pathogenesis and basis for the imaging appearance of paraesophageal empyema in dogs by clarifying the underlying anatomic structures that direct development of this condition. The term empyema accurately describes this condition because the purulent material accumulates within an existing body cavity. The study also provides initial evidence that the development of paraesophageal empyema might be due to local extension of lung disease, such as foreign body migration or pneumonia. Computed tomography was helpful for diagnosis, assessing size, and determining the spread of disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29194832/