Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Using near-infrared imaging to check stomach health in dogs
By Mullen, Kaitlyn M et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2024·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Use of real-time near-infrared fluorescence to assess gastric viability in dogs with gastric dilatation volvulus: A case-control study.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old Great Dane was brought to the vet for a serious condition called gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), which can cause the stomach to twist and become nonviable. During surgery, the vet used a special imaging technique called near-infrared fluorescence to check the health of the dog's stomach tissue. This imaging helped the surgeon determine which parts of the stomach were healthy and which were not, leading to better decisions about what to remove. Thanks to this advanced technique, the vet was able to successfully treat the dog, ensuring it received the right care for recovery.
People also search for: Great Dane GDV treatment · dog stomach surgery near-infrared fluorescence · gastric dilatation volvulus signs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) for assessment of gastric viability and describe NIRF's influence on the surgeon's operative strategy in dogs with gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS: Twenty dogs with GDV and 20 systemically healthy dogs. METHODS: Following gastric derotation, the surgeon's subjective assessment of gastric viability was recorded prior to near-infrared imaging. Changes in the surgeon's initial assessment of viability based on the visual pattern of gastric fluorescence was recorded. If nonviable (lack of defined vessels), a partial gastrectomy was performed and submitted for histopathology. The stapled gastrectomy line was imaged. Viable (defined vessels) and nonviable fluorescence intensities were compared with healthy dogs undergoing surgery for nongastrointestinal disease. RESULTS: Subjective assessment diagnosed 17 viable and three nonviable GDVs (2 fundi; 1 cardia). Near-infrared imaging demonstrated nonviable gastric fluorescence in 4 dogs (3 fundi/cardia; 1 fundus). The surgeon's margins for resection were altered in 3/20 dogs. Fluorescence intensity (cardia, fundus, body, pylorus) was lower in GDV viable (30.59%, p = .04; 38.17%, p < .01; 51.18%, p < .01; 44.12%, p= .01) and nonviable (11.00%, p < .01; 4.33%, p < .01; 57.67%, p = .22; 54.33%, p = .72) dogs compared to healthy controls (44.7%, 70.05%, 84.00%, 63.95%). Fundic fluorescence was less in nonviable gastric tissue in comparison with viable gastric tissue (p = .03). Fluorescence of the gastrectomy staple line approximated that of viable tissue. CONCLUSION: Near-infrared fluorescence can identify histologically confirmed nonviable gastric tissue. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results provide enough evidence to support the implementation of NIRF as an adjunct to gross examination of the gastric wall in dogs with GDV.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38135927/