1. Radiology Packet 13 Thorax – Pleural cavity

2. 7-year old MC DSH Hx: Presented for evaluation of progressive respiratory distress. History obtained from the owner suggests the cat has been lethargic for 2 weeks and anorexic for 3 days. They noticed the cat has been “breathing faster” for the last few days and 12 hours ago became obviously dyspneic.

4. 7-year old MC DSH RF –There is an overall increased density within the thoracic cavity. –Pleural fissure lines are present as well as an increased density surrounding the costophrenic angle. –There is marked retraction of the caudal dorsal lungs from the thoracic walls and the lung margins appear rounded. –Soft tissue opacity is present especially along the left thoracic wall and costrophrenic angle. –A large amount of free air is present in the right hemi-thorax. –The right caudal lung lobe appears markedly decreased in size and rounded. –A mediastinal shift to the left is present. RD –Pleural effusion –Unilateral tension pneumothorax

5. 7-year old MC DSH R/O –Pleural effusion Chylothorax Hemothorax Pyothorax Hydrothorax –CHF –Neoplasia –Pneumothorax Traumatic Spontaneous –Secondary to underlying pulmonary disease Next –Thoracocentesis - immediately –Cytology and culture of the fluid

6. 9-year old M German Shepherd Hx: Presented with a history of abdominal distension and weakness. The diagnostic work-up revealed the presence of a splenic mass and free abdominal fluid.

8. 9-year old M German Shepherd RF –The heart and pulmonary vessels appear normal. –In the lateral view there is retraction of the ventral lung tissue away from the sternum. –The apex of the heart silhouettes with an area of soft tissue opacity ventrally. –In the VD view there is increased opacity of the lung fields but this change is much more obvious in the left lung field. –There is minor retraction of pulmonary tissue from the thoracic wall at the caudal lung tips. A pleural fissure line is present at the 5 th intercostal space on the right. –There is an impression of increased opacity of the cranial abdomen which is consistent with the presence of free abdominal fluid. RD –Pleural effusion R/O –Chylothorax –Hemothorax –Pyothorax –Hydrothorax

9. 4-year old FS DSH Hx: Presented in acute respiratory distress after being outside all night. The owners indicate that she was fine the previous evening.

11. 4-year old FS DSH RF –The heart is partially obscured by surrounding lung changes but appears normal. –In the lateral view two triangular structures of soft tissue opacity are seen in the caudal thorax – these are retracted caudal lung lobes. –There is free air between the caudal lung lobes and the diaphragm. The free air is difficult to see in the VD - likely due to positioning. –In the VD there is an area of increased opacity that silhouettes with the heart along the left side. This is seen on the lateral film cranial to the heart. –Increased size of the thoracic cavity has pushed the liver and other abdominal organs caudally giving the false appearance of hepatomegaly. RD –Bilateral pneumothorax –Pulmonary contusion

12. 8-year old miniature poodle “Trixie” Hx: presented with dyspnea

14. 8-year old miniature poodle “Trixie” RF –Soft tissue silhouetting of the ventral portion of the heart with the sternum and diaphragm. –Pleural fissure lines. –The caudal mediastinal area is opacified by soft tissue; diaphragm is not seen here. –Retraction of the right middle and caudal lung lobes from the thoracic wall, with soft tissue opacity between the lobes and the wall. –Trachea is diverging from the spine. RD –Pleural effusion R/O –Chylothorax –Pyothorax –Hydrothorax –Hemothorax Next –Thoracocentesis

15. 8-month old Pug “Pugwash” Hx: Two days ago the owner noticed an open bag of rat poison and suspects the puppy ate some of it. Yesterday the puppy became depressed and lethargic. When presented today he was dyspneic.

17. 8-month old Pug “Pugwash” RF –Diffuse increase in opacity in the thoracic cavity. –The cardiac silhouette is obscured and the lung lobes are retracted and rounded. –In the lateral view the trachea is elevated and in the VD view the cranial mediastinal appears widened. –Due to the large volume of fluid in the thorax it is difficult to evaluate the lungs for changes. RD –Pleural effusion –Possible widened cranial mediastinum R/O –Rodenticide toxicity Next –Evaluation of coagulation and treat with Vitamin K

18. 11-year old Golden Retriever “Katie” Hx: Presented with dyspnea.

20. 11-year old Golden Retriever “Katie” RF –Increased overall opacity of the thorax. –Pleural fissure lines are present and the lung lobe margins are rounded on the lateral view. –The cranial mediastinum is mildly widened. –Multiple medium size soft nodules are present in various lung lobes. RD –Massive pleural effusion –Pulmonary nodules R/O –Pleural fluid secondary to neoplasia –Cranial mediastinal mass Next –Thoracocentesis