Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Using thoracoscopy to find causes of fluid in chest in dogs and cats
By Kovak, Janet R et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2002·Department of Surgery, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Use of thoracoscopy to determine the etiology of pleural effusion in dogs and cats: 18 cases (1998-2001).
Plain-English summary
Fifteen dogs and three cats with fluid buildup in their chest (pleural effusion) underwent a procedure called thoracoscopy to find out what was causing it. The results showed that eight of the pets had cancer, while the other ten had inflammation in the lining of the chest. Pets with cancer had a median survival time of just 15 days, but those with inflammatory conditions lived much longer, over 785 days. The procedure was generally safe, with only two pets experiencing a minor complication of air in the chest after the biopsy. Overall, thoracoscopy proved to be a helpful and less invasive way to diagnose the cause of pleural effusion.
People also search for: dog pleural effusion causes · cat fluid in chest treatment · thoracoscopy for pets · dog cancer symptoms · cat inflammatory disease prognosis
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess use of thoracoscopy to determine causes of pleural effusion in dogs and cats. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 15 dogs and 3 cats with pleural effusion. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed from 1998 to 2001 for dogs and cats that had exploratory thoracoscopy, biopsy, and histologic analysis to determine the etiology of pleural effusion. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Surgical biopsy specimens were evaluated for quantity and quality for providing a histologic diagnosis. RESULTS: Biopsy specimens were deemed adequate in quantity and quality to render a histologic diagnosis in all animals. Etiology of the effusion was neoplasia in 8 animals and non-neoplastic pleuritis in 10 animals. Median survival time of animals with neoplasia was 15 days, whereas those with inflammatory diseases had median survival time of > 785 days. Postoperative pneumothorax was encountered in 2 animals subsequent to pulmonary biopsy. No other major complications were recorded. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Thoracoscopy is a diagnostic option that provides excellent viewing of intrathoracic structures and adequate biopsy specimens with minimal complications. This technique provides a less invasive alternative to thoracotomy for evaluating the etiology of pleural effusion.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12369702/