Computed tomographic features of gastric and esophageal content in dogs undergoing CT myelography and factors influencing the presence of esophageal fluid.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) has been reported to be a common finding in dogs under general anesthesia. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the esophageal and gastric contents in a population of dogs undergoing computed tomographic myelography (myelo-CT) examination and to evaluate the factors influencing the presence of esophageal fluid (gastric content, duration of anesthesia, body position, and intrinsic factors). METHODS: Esophageal and gastric contents of 83 non-brachycephalic dogs were retrospectively assessed based on plain and myelo-CT scans. Age, weight, breed, sex, and the time between the 2 computed tomography [CT] scans were included. RESULTS: Esophageal fluid was present in 19% (16/83) of the animals, and 14% (12/83) and 46% (37/83), respectively, had fluid or food material in their stomachs. The frequency of observing esophageal fluid on myelo-CT scans was significantly increased compared with plain CT scans (p = 0.006). The presence of gastric fluid was significantly associated with an increased frequency of observing esophageal fluid compared to other gastric contents (p = 0.049; odds ratio, 3.1). The presence of esophageal fluid was not correlated with alimentary gastric contents (p = 0.17). Increased body weight and duration of anesthesia were significantly associated with an increased frequency of observing esophageal fluid (p = 0.022, p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Unlike alimentary gastric contents, fluid gastric contents were correlated with the presence of esophageal fluid upon myelo-CT. The observation of fluid in the esophagus may be consistent with GER. This study provides data additional to pH monitoring studies of GER and may support previous studies recommending shorter pre-anesthetic fasting periods in dogs.

Intermittent urethral obstruction secondary to caudal sliding of a pelvic bladder in 3 dogs.

Three Yorkshire terrier dogs (2 males and 1 female) were presented for investigation of chronic dysuria and stranguria. Physical examination was unremarkable except for a poorly filled bladder. Biological tests, urinalysis, ultrasound, and routine radiography detected no significant abnormality, except for intermittent displacement of the bladder in the pelvis. Manual voiding cysto-urethrography showed marked caudal displacement of the bladder without perineal hernia and revealed intermittent, dynamic urethral obstruction. Obstructive kinking of the membranous urethra was observed in male dogs, and the marked caudal displacement of the bladder in the female dog was suspected to induce similar urethral obstruction, although this was not clearly visualized because of the absence of contrast filling of the obstructed urethra. All dogs showed resolution of the clinical signs following cystopexy. Key clinical message: This report documents the diagnostic value of manual voiding cysto-urethrography for the investigation of dynamic voiding disorders, especially in dogs with a pelvic bladder.

Obstruction urétrale intermittente secondaire au glissement caudal d'une vessie pelvienne chez trois chiens. Trois chiens de race Yorkshire (2 mâles et 1 femelle) furent présentés pour un problème de dysurie chronique et de strangurie. L'examen physique ne révéla rien d'anormal sauf une vessie pauvrement remplie. Des tests biologiques, une analyse d'urine, une échographie et des radiographies de routine ne détectèrent aucune anormalité, sauf pour le déplacement intermittent de la vessie dans le pelvis. Une cysto-urétrographie avec vidange manuelle a montré un déplacement caudal marqué de la vessie sans hernie périnéale et a révélé une obstruction urétrale dynamique et intermittente. Une plicature obstructive de l'urètre membraneuse fut observée chez les chiens mâles, et le déplacement caudal marqué de la vessie chez la chienne fut soupçonné d'induire une obstruction urétrale similaire, bien que ceci n'était pas clairement visualisé étant donné l'absence de remplissage par le milieu de contraste de l'urètre obstruée. La résolution des signes cliniques fut observée chez tous les chiens suite à la cystopexie.Message clinique important :Ce rapport documente la valeur diagnostique d'une cysto-urétrographie avec vidange manuelle pour l'étude de désordres de vidange dynamiques, spécialement chez les chiens avec une vessie pelvienne.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Malakoplakia of the Bladder in a 4-Month-Old Puppy.

A 4 mo old female Staffordshire bull terrier puppy was presented with chronic Escherichia coli cystitis. Ultrasound and cystoscopic examination revealed innumerable, intraluminal, finger-like proliferations arising from the dorsal urinary bladder (UB) wall. Histological examination of mucosal biopsies obtained by cystoscopy was suggestive of granulomatous cystitis. The proliferative lesions were removed surgically and submitted for histological examination. The UB submucosa was heavily infiltrated by macrophages with periodic acid-Schiff-positive cytoplasm exhibiting rare Michaelis-Gutmann bodies, leading to the diagnosis of malakoplakia. The puppy was prescribed with sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. The urinary signs disappeared despite the persistent UB wall thickening revealed by abdominal ultrasound. Urine culture performed during the ninth week of treatment showed a persistent infection by E coli resistant to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. The dog was switched to doxycycline but was then lost to follow-up. Malakoplakia is a chronic granulomatous inflammation well documented in humans. Its pathophysiology is not fully understood, but bacterial infection, immunodepression, and a defective lysosomal function may lead to the intracytoplasmic accumulation of partially degraded bacteria that can subsequently mineralize to form the Michaelis-Gutmann bodies. Malakoplakia should be suspected when UB mass lesions are identified in a young dog with bacterial cystitis.