title: Computed tomographic findings in cats with mycobacterial infection.
abstract: The objective of this study was to describe the CT imaging findings associated with confirmed mycobacterial infection in cats.
  
  
  
  CT images from 20 cats with confirmed mycobacterial disease were retrospectively reviewed. Five cats underwent conscious full-body CT in a VetMouseTrap device. All other cats had thoracic CT performed under general anaesthesia, with the addition of CT investigation of the head/neck, abdomen and limbs in some cases.
  
  
  
  Mycobacterial infection was seen most frequently in adult (mean age 7.4 years; range 0.6-14 years) neutered male cats (11/20). The most common infections were Mycobacterium microti (6/20) and Mycobacterium bovis (6/20). CT abnormalities were most commonly seen in the thorax, consisting of bronchial (9/20), alveolar (8/20), ground glass (6/20) or structured interstitial (15/20) lung patterns, which were often mixed. Tracheobronchial, sternal and cranial mediastinal lymphadenomegaly were common (16/20). Other abnormalities included abdominal (8/13) or peripheral (10/18) lymphadenomegaly, hepatosplenomegaly (7/13), mixed osteolytic/osteoproliferative skeletal lesions (7/20) and cutaneous or subcutaneous soft tissue masses/nodules (4/20).
  
  
  
  CT of feline mycobacteriosis shows a wide range of abnormalities, often involving multiple organ systems and mimicking many other feline diseases. Mycobacteriosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of thoracic, abdominal and skeletal disorders in cats.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Major
authors.affiliation: School of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol/Langford Veterinary Services, Langford, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.affiliation: School of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol/Langford Veterinary Services, Langford, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Warren-Smith
authors.affiliation: Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service, Solihull, UK.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lalor
authors.affiliation: Northwest Surgeons, Sutton Weaver, UK.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Littler
authors.affiliation: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, Division of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, UK.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.affiliation: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, Division of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, UK.
authors.forename: Danièlle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gunn-Moore
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002415:Cats; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary