Diagnostic imaging for the assessment of acquired abdominal vascular diseases in small animals: A pictorial review

Abstract

Advances in interventional radiology and surgical techniques now allow complex abdominal diseases to be more successfully treated in small animals. Abdominal vascular alterations, acquired as individual process or as complication of other lesions such as neoplasia, can be life‐threatening or at least greatly limit curative interventions of underlying diseases. Computed tomography (CT) and high‐definition ultrasonography are now readily available in veterinary referral centers. Yet, there is little information currently available on the use of these modalities for the diagnosis and characterization of these vascular alterations. The purpose of this article is to review the CT and ultrasonographic findings of acquired vascular diseases in the abdomen of dogs and cats, using both the veterinary and human medicine literature as references, and highlighting essential concepts through figures.

Computed tomographic and ultrasonographic findings of abdominal arterial pseudoaneurysms caused by systemic mycosis in dogs

“…(A) and (C) represent the CT images acquired at the time of admission whilst (B) and (D) represent the follow‐up study. Reproduced with permission from Specchi & d'Anjou …”

“…(B) Colour‐flow Doppler of the affected vessels showed an endoluminal swirling pattern with turbulent blood flow (“pseudo Yin‐Yang Sign”). Reproduced with permission from Specchi & d'Anjou …”

Computed tomographic and clinical findings in a dog with suspected liver lobe torsion, secondary disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiorgan infarction

“…This case had similar CT findings to those previously described, but also displayed a ‘whirl sign’. The ‘whirl sign’ is a unique characteristic seen on CT which describes the path of twisted soft tissues around a point and is highly specific for diagnosing visceral torsion 17–19. It has been described in cases involving the spleen,23 gastrointestinal tract,17 24 urinary bladder25 and testicles,26 but never in relation to LLT.…”

“…Ultrasonography and CT have been previously used in the work‐up of LLT,1 8–13 but diagnosis often relies on confirmation during surgery or postmortem 9. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case of a suspected LLT displaying a ‘whirl sign’ on CT, which is highly specific for diagnosing visceral torsion 17–19. The dog was presumptively diagnosed with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) causing renal and myocardial infarction and pulmonary thromboembolism.…”

“…9 To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of a suspected LLT displaying a 'whirl sign' on CT, which is highly specific for diagnosing visceral torsion. [17][18][19] The dog was presumptively diagnosed with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) causing renal and myocardial infarction and pulmonary thromboembolism. This is also the first CT description of a presumed myocardial infarction in a dog.…”