Objectives The aims of the study were to describe the radiographic and computed tomographic features in cats naturally infected with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, and to identify signs of pulmonary hypertension with echocardiography. Methods Fourteen cats positive on Baermann test for A abstrusus were included in the study. All cats underwent thoracic radiography, CT and echocardiography. Results The most common clinical signs were coughing (10/14) and dyspnoea (5/14). Radiographic findings included a generalised unstructured interstitial pulmonary pattern (8/14), mixed bronchointerstitioalveolar pattern (3/14) and bronchointerstitial pattern with bronchial wall thickening (3/14). Sternal lymphadenopathy was detected on thoracic radiographs in six cats. On CT, features were mixed bronchointerstitioalveolar pattern with ground-glass appearance in six cats, interstitioalveolar with multiple pulmonary nodules in five, interstitial ground-glass infiltrates in three, regional lymph node enlargement in 11 (10 sternal, three cranial mediastinal and three tracheobronchial lymph nodes) and subpleural thickening in four. None of the thoracic radiographs revealed subpleural thickening. In all cases, pulmonary vessels were normal in terms of size, shape and attenuation on both radiography and CT. Pulmonary hypertension and cardiac abnormalities were not observed in any cat during echocardiography. Conclusions and relevance CT provided a more thorough characterisation of pulmonary and mediastinal lesions compared with thoracic radiographs in cats naturally infected with A abstrusus. Although feline aelurostrongylosis has been previously associated with histopathological lesions in lung arteries, in this cohort clinical evidence of pulmonary hypertension was not documented.

The aims of this study were to assess if ECG-gated 16-multidetector CT (MDCT) provides sufficient temporal and spatial resolution to evaluate canine coronary arteries and provide a detailed description of their anatomy. A total of 24 dogs were included. Images were reviewed to assess: (1) coronary artery opacification and dominance; (2) choice of optimal R-R ECG reconstruction interval for both left coronary artery (LCA) and right coronary artery (RCA); (3) branching patterns of the left main coronary artery (LMCA); and (4) diameter and length of the LCA and RCA and classification of their branches by adapting a previously described segmental coding system. The degree of opacification of the coronary arteries was subjectively judged as excellent or good in five and 19 dogs, respectively. All hearts showed a left coronary dominance. The best R-R reconstruction interval for both LCA and RCA arteries was 75 per cent. Seven different subtypes of LMCA branching patterns were noted. The and were divided into three angiographic segments, and the and the RCA in two and three segments, respectively. ECG-gated 16-MDCT coronary angiography provides adequate resolution to assist the basic anatomy of the main coronary artery branches.

Background: Lobar emphysema in dogs and cats is caused by bronchial collapse during expiration and subsequent air trapping. Congenital causes such as bronchial cartilage defects or acquired causes such as compressive neoplastic lesions have been reported. Morbidity results from hyperinflation of the affected lung lobe and compression of adjacent thoracic structures.Objective: To describe patient characteristics and imaging findings in dogs and cats with lobar emphysema.Animals: Fourteen dogs and 3 cats with lobar emphysema diagnosed by imaging findings were retrospectively identified from veterinary referral hospital populations over a 10-year period.Methods: Cases that included thoracic radiography, thoracic computed tomography (CT), or both were included. All images were reviewed by a European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging diplomate. Relevant case information included signalment, clinical findings, treatment, and histopathology where available.Results: Ten of 17 (59%) patients were presented for evaluation of dyspnea and 6 (35%) for coughing. Eleven (65%) patients were <3 years of age. The right middle lung lobe was affected in 12 cases (71%) and multiple lobes were affected in 7 cases (41%). Congenital lobar emphysema was suspected in 14 cases (82%). Conclusion and ClinicalImportance: Lung lobe hyperinflation, atelectasis of nonaffected lung lobes, mediastinal shift, and thoracic wall and diaphragmatic wall deformation were common findings. Lobar or multilobar emphysema should be considered in patients with dyspnea or coughing, particularly younger patients. Although radiography is useful, CT provides better detail. In older patients, acquired causes of bronchial compression should be considered.

Myositis ossificans (MO) and myositis ossificans-like lesions have been rarely described within the veterinary literature, and are even less common in the maxillofacial region. When MO affects the muscles of mastication, it can result in complete or partial inability to open the mouth. As with other conditions resulting in decreased or restricted mandibular range of motion, severe and potentially fatal sequelae such as difficulty with prehension, swallowing, and air exchange are possible. Diagnostic imaging is essential in achieving an accurate diagnosis and in formulating an appropriate treatment plan. In this “method” manuscript, we provide a detailed description of our approach to diagnosis and surgical management of MO-like lesions of the pterygoid muscles and describe our experience with two young French bulldogs.

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