Radiographic findings in dogs with pulmonary blastomycosis: 125 cases (1989-2006).
OBJECTIVE
To identify radiographic patterns in dogs with pulmonary blastomycosis and radiographic factors associated with outcome.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
125 dogs with pulmonary blastomycosis.


METHODS
Medical records were reviewed, and for each lung lobe, the primary radiographic pattern and percentage of lobar involvement at the time of initial examination were recorded.


RESULTS
79 dogs survived, 38 died, and 8 were euthanized without treatment. The initial radiographic pattern was variable and not significantly associated with outcome. Mean half-time for radiographic resolution of pulmonary infiltrates was 41.4 days for all patterns except masses, for which mean half-time to resolution was 90.8 days. Transient radiographic worsening was seen in 20 of 87 (23%) dogs but was not associated with a poor prognosis. Pulmonary bullae were seen in 20 (16%) dogs, most often in association with an alveolar pattern. Accuracy of using percentage of right caudal lung lobe involvement (<or= 20% vs > 20%) to predict outcome was 74.4%; accuracy of using number of affected lobes (< 4 vs >or= 4) to predict outcome was 65.8%.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that a nonuniform distribution of pulmonary infiltrates was equally as likely as a diffuse nodular interstitial pattern in dogs with pulmonary blastomycosis. On the basis of half-time for resolution of pulmonary infiltrates, follow-up radiography should be performed no more often than every 4 to 6 weeks in clinically stable patients. Transient radiographic worsening that occurred during the initial weeks of treatment was not associated with a poorer prognosis.
Crews
Laura J
LJ
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA.
Feeney
Daniel A
DA
Jessen
Carl R
CR
Newman
Allison B
AB
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001759:Blastomycosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000935:Antifungal Agents