Use of Contrast-Enhanced CT in the Diagnosis of Abscesses in Cattle

Abstract

ABSTRACT. We report here the non-contrast and contrast-enhanced computed tomography performed in two calves with brain abscess and multiple pulmonary abscesses with pharyngeal abscess, respectively. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography was useful in the diagnosis of these diseases in both calves. The diseases were confirmed by histopathological examination.KEY WORDS: abscess, cattle, contrast-enhanced CT, diagnosis.J. Vet. Med. Sci. 73(1): 113-115, 2011 The number of case reports involving diagnosis with computed tomography (CT) in both companion and production animals have been increasing. At the same time, there are numerous reports on the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced CT in small animal practice [6,7]. In production animals, however, there have been two reports detailing diagnosis by contrast-enhanced CT in goats [3] and cattle [5]. We wish to report on the importance of contrast-enhanced CT in production animals by detailing two cases diagnosed by this method in cattle.Case 1 presented with a 5-day history of astasia. On neurological examination, the mental status, papillary light reflex, and menace response were normal. An ataxia of all limbs and opisthotonus was observed. Spinal reflex, panniculus reflex, anal reflex, and pain perception were adequate. Complete blood cell count and serum biochemistry profiles were within normal limits except for leukocytosis (22,100 cells/µL, reference range 5,000-12,000 cells/µL) consisted of neutrophils (76%) and lymphocytes (22%). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination showed leukocytosis (1,100 cells/µL, reference range < 25 cells/µL) and cytology revealed neutrophils (100%). Based on neurological and CSF examination findings, inflammatory disease in the cerebellum and/or brainstem was suspected.CT images were obtained by multidetector-row CT (Asteion Super 4, Toshiba, Japan) with the calf under general anesthesia. The calf was anesthetized with 14 mg/ kg pentobarbital sodium (Somnopentyl, Kyoritsu Seikyo Corp., Japan) through the left jugular vein. The calf was positioned in sternal recumbency on the CT table. Contiguous CT scans were obtained with 135 kV, 150 mA, and 2.0 mm slice thickness of the head. CT data were reconstructed using an image-processing workstation (Virtual Place Advance, AZE, Japan), and transverse and sagittal images were obtained. In non-contrast CT with a brain window (WL (window level) 100, WW (window width) 80), no abnormal findings were observed (Fig. 1a and c). Sodium iothalamate (Conray, Daiichi Sankyo, Japan) at 600 mgI/kg body weight was injected into the jugular vein using an autoinjector (Autoenhance A-60, Nemoto Kyorindo, Japan). Post-contrast CT images showed a hypodense (27.0 Hounsfield units) round mass (1.4  1.4 cm) with ring enhancement in the cerebellum that indicated an abscess (Fig. 1b and d). The calf was euthanized after the CT examination because we considered the prognosis to be poor due to the presence of a brain * CORRESPONDENCE TO: YAMADA, K., Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Obihiro University of ...

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Computed tomographic findings and treatment of a bull with pituitary gland abscess

“…A tentative diagnosis of brain abscess is based on the clinical signs and may be aided by the results of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, although focal suppurative brain lesions are not always accompanied by pleocytosis and increased protein concentration in the CSF. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been used successfully for diagnosing brain abscesses in cattle [5, 6]. MRI was used to diagnose a brainstem abscess in a 3-month-old calf [7], and CT was used to image brain abscesses in two calves [6] and a cerebellar abscess in another calf [5].…”

“…Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been used successfully for diagnosing brain abscesses in cattle [5, 6]. MRI was used to diagnose a brainstem abscess in a 3-month-old calf [7], and CT was used to image brain abscesses in two calves [6] and a cerebellar abscess in another calf [5]. …”