Upper Airway Injury in Dogs Secondary to Trauma: 10 Dogs (2000–2011)

Abstract

Ten dogs that presented with trauma-induced upper airway rupture or stenosis were reviewed. Tracheal rupture was seen in seven dogs, tracheal stenosis in one dog, and laryngeal rupture in two dogs. Clinical abnormalities included respiratory distress in five dogs, subcutaneous emphysema in eight, air leakage through the cervical wound in seven, stridor in three dogs, pneumomediastinum in four and pneumothorax in one dog. Reconstruction with simple interrupted sutures was performed in four dogs, tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis in five dogs, and one dog was euthanized intraoperatively. Complications were seen in three dogs including aspiration pneumonia in one and vocalization alterations in two dogs.

Computed tomographic findings in a Bluetick Coonhound with a longitudinal thoracic tracheal tear

“…To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of an intrathoracic longitudinal tracheal tear described in a dog. Longitudinal tracheal tears have typically been described as a sequel to endotracheal tube intubation and usually occur at the thoracic inlet . The patient described in this case report, however, had no history of a recent medical procedure and the location of the tear was inconsistent with reported intubation induced longitudinal tears.…”

“…Tracheal tears in small animals usually occur secondary to trauma, such as blunt or penetrating injuries . Cervical tracheal tears are more common than thoracic tracheal ruptures and are typically associated with bite wound injuries to the neck, choke chain injuries, and traumatic intubation . Thoracic tracheal ruptures or avulsions have been described infrequently and only in cats secondary to thoracic blunt trauma .…”

“…The diagnosis of a tracheal tear is often a diagnostic challenge, especially in patients that present with minimal signs of respiratory distress . Radiologic signs may also be nonspecific and may only reflect the consequence of a tracheal tear as was demonstrated in this case . Severe pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema made the interpretation of pneumothorax challenging on radiographs and CT was required to confirm the absence of pneumothorax.…”

“…5 The trachea typically ruptures 1-4 cm cranial to the carina due to hyperextension of the head and neck. 3,5,6 The carina is in a fixed anatomic position and thus hyperextension of the head and neck leads to stretching of the trachea and eventual rupture. 5,6 To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an intrathoracic longitudinal tracheal tear described in a dog.…”

“…3,5,6 The carina is in a fixed anatomic position and thus hyperextension of the head and neck leads to stretching of the trachea and eventual rupture. 5,6 To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an intrathoracic longitudinal tracheal tear described in a dog. Longitudinal tracheal tears have typically been described as a sequel to endotracheal tube intubation and usually occur at the thoracic inlet.…”