Radiographic, computed tomographic, and ultrasonographic findings with migrating intrathoracic grass awns in dogs and cats

Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2008 May-Jun;49(3):249-55. doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2008.00360.x.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical, radiographic, and computed tomographic findings in dogs and cats with migrating intrathoracic grass awns. Thirty-five dogs and five cats with visual confirmation of a grass awn following surgery, endoscopy or necropsy, and histology were assessed. The medical records and all diagnostic imaging studies were reviewed retrospectively. Labrador Retrievers or English Pointers < 5 years of age, with a history of coughing and hyperthermia, were the most common presentations. Seventeen animals had an inflammatory leukogram of which 14 had a left shift or toxic neutrophils. Radiographs were performed in 38 animals and computed tomography (CT) in 14. Thoracic radiographs were characterized by focal pulmonary interstitial to alveolar opacities (n = 26) that occurred most commonly in the caudal (n = 19) or accessory lobes (n = 8). Additional findings included pneumothorax (n = 9), pleural effusion (n = 8), and pleural thickening (n = 7). Pulmonary opacities identified on radiographs correlated to areas of pneumonia and foreign body location. CT findings included focal interstitial to alveolar pulmonary opacities (n = 12) most commonly in the right caudal lung lobe (n = 9), pleural thickening (n = 11), mildly enlarged intrathoracic lymph nodes (n = 10), soft tissue tracking (n = 7) with enhancing margins (n = 4), pneumothorax (n = 6), pleural effusion (n = 4), and foreign body visualization (n = 4). Histologic diagnoses included pulmonary and mediastinal granulomas or abscesses, bronchopneumonia, and pleuritis. Migrating intrathoracic grass awns should be considered as a differential diagnosis in coughing, febrile animals with focal interstitial to alveolar pulmonary opacities, pleural effusion, pleural thickening, and/or pneumothorax on radiographs or CT.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cat Diseases / surgery
  • Cats
  • Dog Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Dog Diseases / surgery
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnostic imaging
  • Foreign Bodies / surgery
  • Foreign Bodies / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Pleural Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Pleural Diseases / surgery
  • Pleural Diseases / veterinary
  • Pleural Effusion / diagnostic imaging
  • Pleural Effusion / surgery
  • Pleural Effusion / veterinary
  • Pneumothorax / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumothorax / surgery
  • Pneumothorax / veterinary
  • Poaceae*
  • Radiography, Thoracic / methods
  • Radiography, Thoracic / veterinary*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary*
  • Ultrasonography