title: MULTIDETECTOR-ROW COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PRESUMED PREURETERAL VENA CAVA IN CATS.
abstract: Preureteral vena cava (circumcaval ureter, retrocaval ureter) occurs in a third of the feline population and has been associated with ureteral strictures in humans. The aim of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to describe the contrast-enhanced multidetector row computed tomographic (MDCT) characteristics of presumed preureteral vena cava in a group of cats. Medical records from two institutions located in different continents were searched from 2010-2013 for cases with complete contrast-enhanced MDCT examinations of the abdomen (i.e. included the entire course of the ureters and prerenal and renal segments of the caudal vena cava) and a diagnosis of preureteral caudal vena cava. For cases meeting inclusion criteria, CT scan data were retrieved and characteristics of the preureteral caudal vena cava were recorded. Presence of concomitant renal or ureteral diseases was also recorded. A total of 272 cats had contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scans during the study period and of these, 68 cats (22.43 ± 4.96%) had a diagnosis of presumed preureteral vena cava. In all affected cats, a "reverse-J ureter" was observed, i.e. a ureter running medially at the level of L4-5, passing dorsally to the caudal vena cava and then exiting ventrally between the caudal vena cava and aorta returning to its normal position. Having a preureteral vena cava resulted in an increased risk for concurrent urinary signs (OR = 3.00; CI: 95%; 1.28-6.99; P = 0.01). Findings supported the use of contrast-enhanced MDCT for characterizing morphology of preureteral vena cava and its relation with ureters in cats.
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, J2S 2M2, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada.
authors: Pascaline
authors: P
authors: Pey
authors: San Marco Veterinary Clinic, Via Sorio 114/c, 35141, Padua, Italy.
authors: Oriana
authors: O
authors: Marcon
authors: Dipartimento di Medicina Animale, Produzioni e Salute, Universita degli Studi di Padova, Italy.
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Drigo
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, J2S 2M2, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada.
authors: Swan
authors: S
authors: Specchi
authors: San Marco Veterinary Clinic, Via Sorio 114/c, 35141, Padua, Italy.
authors: Giovanna
authors: G
authors: Bertolini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002415:Cats / Q000002:abnormalities; D003287:Contrast Media; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000662:veterinary*; D064749:Retrocaval Ureter / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014513:Ureter / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014515:Ureteral Diseases / Q000662:veterinary; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: circumcaval; computed tomography; feline; preureteral vena cava; ureter