Diagnostic imaging of foreign body reactions in dogs with diffuse back pain.
Six hunting dogs were investigated after showing signs of diffuse back pain. In three of the dogs, prodromal signs included coughing. Swelling in the dorsal lumbar region was noted in four of the dogs, but in two there was no visible or palpable swelling. Initial radiographs of the lumbar region were normal in two of the dogs and showed mild to moderate ventral periosteal reactions in the L1 to L4 region in the remaining four. On ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging, changes were seen in the sublumbar muscles (e.g., abnormal echogenicity and increased signal intensity) in five dogs examined. Exploratory surgery revealed plant material foreign bodies in the sublumbar muscles in the L1 to L4 region in five of the six dogs. The concurrent infections were caused predominantly by anaerobic bacteria common to the mucous membranes of the oropharyngeal and respiratory tracts. All dogs recovered, with restored hunting ability. The mean follow-up period was five years (range 1.3 to 7.8 years). It is proposed that the plant parts were inhaled, and then migrated along either diaphragmatic crus to lodge in the sublumbar muscles.
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
J
J
Frendin
B
B
Funkquist
K
K
Hansson
M
M
Lönnemark
J
J
Carlsten
D000818:Animals; D001416:Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000662:veterinary*; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D003371:Cough / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000662:veterinary*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D018514:Plant Structures; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D014463:Ultrasonography
C024226:technetium Tc 99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate