Case of the week 2.7.22

Adrien-Maxence Hespel

University of Tennessee

veterinary.radiology.mirc@gmail.com

Publication Date: 2022-02-07

History

14 year old female spayed Chihuahua, hematochezia

3 images

Findings

Opposite lateral and VD radiographs of the abdomen are available for interpretation.

The serosal detail is normal. The liver is small. The stomach contains a small volume of gas. The small intestines are normal and uniform in diameter. There is a moderate volume of stippled gas extending through the majority of the colonic wall, including into the pelvic canal. The colon contains a large volume of fluid and a small volume of soft tissue opaque material which has a “foamy” appearance.

The spleen, unobscured margins of the kidneys and urinary bladder are normal.

There are a few, nonspecific, small, soft tissue opaque nodules in the subcutaneous tissues of the left proximal pelvic limb.

Diagnosis

The appearance of the colon is consistent with pneumatosis coli. Potential causes include severe bacterial colitis, colonic ulceration, or, less likely, ischemia/infarction.

Microhepatia may be a patient variant, however, a chronic hepatopathy cannot be excluded.

Discussion

An abdominal ultrasound was performed, and underlying etiology for the pneumatosis coli was not elicited. The patient was discharged with medical treatment.

Additional references