CT features of confirmed and presumed gastric wall edema in dogs

Abstract

Postcontrast computed tomographic (CT) characteristics of gastrointestinal (GI) wall edema in humans have been described as GI wall thickening with a thickened submucosal layer and thin enhanced inner and outer layers. Published studies describing CT features of gastric wall edema in dogs are currently lacking. The aim of this retrospective, case series was to describe CT features of gastric wall edema in a group of dogs. Medical records were searched for dogs with postcontrast abdominal CT scans and a diagnosis of gastric wall edema based on histopathology (group I) or CT characteristics consistent with those reported in humans (group II). Clinical diagnosis, mean serum albumin concentration, and histopathological diagnosis were recorded. The following CT characteristics were recorded: numbers of wall layers, attenuation and contrast enhancement, presence of blood vessels, locations, distribution, and thickness. Twelve dogs (3 in group I and 9 in group II) were included. The most common clinical finding was hypoalbuminemia. In group I, a well‐defined three‐layer appearance with a non‐enhancing fluid‐attenuating middle layer was observed in three dogs and thin blood vessels in the middle layer in two dogs. In group II, nine dogs had a three‐layer appearance with a non‐enhancing fluid‐attenuating middle layer. Locations of gastric wall thickening were diffuse in two, focal concentric in six, and focal asymmetric in four dogs. Findings supported including gastric wall edema as a differential diagnosis for dogs with hypoalbuminemia and CT characteristics of a three‐layer appearance in the gastric wall, with a non‐enhancing fluid‐attenuating middle layer and thin blood vessels.

Ultrasonographic features of gallbladder wall thickening in dogs with hypoalbuminemia

“… 2014 ), and also commonly causes edema in other organs in dogs (Peterson and Willard 2003 ; Dossin and Lavoue 2011 ; Murakami et al. 2019 , 2020 , 2022 ). In a previous study, gallbladder wall thickening was observed in dogs with hypoalbuminemia, but the ultrasonographic appearance of the thickening was not described (Sparago et al.…”

“…Hypoalbuminemia is known to cause edema of multiple organs, including gastrointestinal wall edema (Peterson and Willard 2003 ; Murakami et al. 2019 , 2020 , 2022 ) and pitting edema of the limbs, scrotum, or face (Dossin and Lavoue 2011 ). Gallbladder wall thickening secondary to hypoalbuminemia is speculated to be gallbladder wall edema due to decreased oncotic pressure, which is associated with serum albumin levels (Fiske et al.…”

Prevalence and diagnostic methods of surgical pathology in the digestive system of animals

“…It involves chewing, processing food with saliva, the catalytic transformation of its components with the participation of enzymes, and further movement along the digestive tract. However, as mentioned by M. Murakami et al (2022), the movement of feed mass from the stomach can be limited or completely stopped due to partial or complete obstruction of the intestinal lumen by tumours, foreign objects, polyps, excessive mucosal growth, or the presence of ulcers. M.G.…”

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“…It involves chewing, processing food with saliva, the catalytic transformation of its components with the participation of enzymes, and further movement along the digestive tract. However, as mentioned by M. Murakami et al (2022), the movement of feed mass from the stomach can be limited or completely stopped due to partial or complete obstruction of the intestinal lumen by tumours, foreign objects, polyps, excessive mucosal growth, or the presence of ulcers. M.G.…”