Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ultrasound shows grass awns in dog soft tissue and helps removal
By Gnudi, Giacomo et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2005·Sezione di Radiologia e Diagnostica per Immagini, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Ultrasonographic features of grass awn migration in the dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog was diagnosed with a grass awn (a type of sharp seed) that had migrated into its soft tissue, causing discomfort. Ultrasound imaging helped the veterinarian locate the grass awn, which appeared as a distinct shape on the scans. In four cases, the grass awns were successfully removed through surgery using ultrasound guidance. However, in three dogs, the grass awn was not found during surgery, highlighting the need for careful examination. Overall, ultrasound proved to be an effective tool for identifying these foreign objects in dogs.
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to describe the ultrasonographic features of grass awns in soft tissue. A 10 MHz linear transducer was used. Ultrasound images from 25 dogs (27 awns) were collected and compared with the results from water bath studies using wild oat seeds (Avena spp.) collected in the field. Wild oat seeds were the most common grass awn found in soft tissue of dogs. Ultrasonographically grass awns appeared as a double/triple spindle-shaped echogenic interface within soft tissue. The same appearance was observed in water bath studies. In four dogs, the grass awn was removed surgically with a clamp introduced into a fistulous tract, using sonographic guidance. The grass awn was not found surgically in only three dogs, suggesting more attention during surgery. Ultrasonography is a useful diagnostic imaging technique to identify grass awns within soft tissue.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16250402/