Pneumatosis coli in a dog - a serial radiographic study: a case report

Abstract

ABSTRACT:A 12-year-old intact female poodle was presented with a history of an acute episode of tenesmus and passage of ribbon-shaped stools. Anaemia, leucocytosis, hypoalbuminaemia, hyperglycaemia, and elevated ALP were found. Faecal floatation and wet mount preparation were negative for parasites. Anaerobic faecal culture resulted in a heavy growth of Clostridium. Survey abdominal radiographs revealed extensive intramural emphysema of colon and rectum. Ultrasonography of the abdomen revealed bright echoes within the layers of the colon wall, confirming the accumulation of intramural gas. Abdominal computed tomography revealed extraluminal gas tracking along the colon and the rectum. Based on the radiographic, ultrasonographic, and computed tomographic findings, the present case was diagnosed as pneumatosis coli with an underlying cause of bacterial overgrowth. The patient was treated with antibiotics for seventeen days. Clinical signs were resolved after three days of treatment. Decreased intramural gas accumulation was evident during radiography of the abdomen performed at fourteen days after the initial evaluation. Therefore, pneumatosis coli should be considered when a dog is presented with clinical signs of colitis.

Atypical enteritis causing life-threatening pneumatosis intestinalis in a dog – radiographic and ultrasonographic findings

“…In human medicine, PI is subdivided in two groups primary PI, which is benign in nature, and secondary PI, which reflects a pathological, often life-threatening condition (Mitsuyoshi, 2015), requiring aggressive surgical and medical treatment (Hwang et al, 2016;Rajan et al, 2017). In primary PI, intramural gas creates a circular or cystic air pattern within the small intestinal wall, called pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (Pear, 1998;Ho et al, 2007).…”

“…In primary PI, intramural gas creates a circular or cystic air pattern within the small intestinal wall, called pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (Pear, 1998;Ho et al, 2007). In secondary PI, gas accumulates as a nodular or linear pattern within the small intestinal walls (Hwang et al, 2016;Rajan et al, 2017). In the majority of cases, the differentiation can be made based on ultrasound or radiography, although computed tomography is considered as the gold standard (Di Pietropaolo, 2020).…”

“…In the majority of cases, the differentiation can be made based on ultrasound or radiography, although computed tomography is considered as the gold standard (Di Pietropaolo, 2020). Gas accumulation is more commonly seen in other organs, such as the wall of the stomach in gastric pneumatosis and emphysematous gastritis or in the wall of the large intestines in pneumatosis coli (PC) (Degner, 1992;Morris, 1992;Choi, 2009;Aste et al, 2005;Hwang, 2016).…”

Pneumatosis coli after partial ligation of congenital portosystemic shunt in a dog

“…When gas is present in the large bowel, it is called pneumatosis coli [ 10 , 16 , 17 ]. Pneumatosis intestinalis has also been reported in dogs (5 cases in the colon and 1 case in the small intestine) [ 1 , 3 , 9 , 13 , 17 , 18 ] and two cats [ 7 , 12 ].…”

“…However, it is difficult to differentiate between benign and clinically worrisome pneumatosis intestinalis without performing laparotomy [ 19 ]. In the previously reported 5 dogs with pneumatosis coli [ 1 , 3 , 9 , 13 , 17 ], 4 cases were treated with antibiotics and/or food therapy (highly digestible low-residue diet) and 1 case was not given any specific treatment, and all cases improved. In the present case, the prognosis was poor despite the antibiotic therapy, and histological examination of the colon revealed degeneration and necrosis of the mucosal epithelial cells, indicating that it may have corresponded to the clinically worrisome pneumatosis intestinalis in humans.…”