Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Use of multi-detector computed tomographic angiography in the diagnosis of a parapharyngeal aneurysm in a 6-week-old foal.
- Journal:
- Equine veterinary journal
- Year:
- 2010
- Authors:
- Powell, S E
- Affiliation:
- Rossdales Equine Diagnostic Centre · United Kingdom
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In this case, a 6-week-old Thoroughbred foal had a firm, oval-shaped mass on the right side of its throat, which was found to be an aneurysm, a bulging blood vessel. The veterinarians used a special imaging technique called multi-detector computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA) to get a detailed look at the blood vessels involved. This method helped them understand the mass better and plan for surgery. After examining the mass more closely, they confirmed it was indeed an aneurysm with some blood clots and calcification in the vessel wall. Overall, the use of MDCTA was helpful in diagnosing and planning treatment for this condition.
Abstract
Multidetector-row computed tomographic contrast angiography (MDCTA) is routinely employed to investigate vascular masses in human patients but, to date, the use of this technique to investigate an aneurysmal mass has not been reported in an equine case. The potential of MDCTA to investigate a right-sided parapharyngeal mass in a 6-week-old Thoroughbred foal was therefore investigated. A 4-slice helical computed tomography scanner was used on a superficial, firm, ovoid mass yielding arterial blood on fine needle aspiration. MDCTA enabled identification of the vessels involved thus assisting in forming a diagnosis based on the morphology of the lesion and aided surgical planning. Histology confirmed the presence of mural thrombus and calcification within the smooth muscle wall consistent with a true aneurysm. MDCTA provided additional information to conventional imaging in this case of vascular masses of the head and neck. The technique therefore has the potential to improve diagnosis and assist in the management of such lesions.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20486985/