Comparison of Radiography and Ultrasonography for Diagnosing Small‐intestinal Mechanical Obstruction in Vomiting Dogs

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was performed on acutely vomiting dogs to compare the accuracy of radiography and ultrasonography for the diagnosis of small-intestinal mechanical obstruction and to describe several radiographic and ultrasonographic signs to identify their contribution to the final diagnosis. The sample population consisted of 82 adult dogs and small-intestinal obstruction by foreign body was confirmed in 27/82 (33%) dogs by surgery or necropsy. Radiography produced a definitive result (obstructed or not obstructed) in 58/82 (70%) of dogs; ultrasonography produced a definitive result in 80/82 (97%) of dogs. On radiographs, a diagnosis of obstruction was based on detection of segmental small-intestinal dilatation, plication, or detection of a foreign body. Approximately 30% (8/27) of obstructed dogs did not have radiographic signs of segmental smallintestinal dilatation, of which 50% (4/8) were due to linear foreign bodies. The ultrasonographic diagnosis of small-intestinal obstruction was based on detection of an obstructive lesion, sonographic signs of plication or segmental, small-intestinal dilatation. The ultrasonographic presence or absence of moderate-to-severe intestinal diameter enlargement (due to lumen dilatation) of the jejunum (41.5 cm) was a useful discriminatory finding and, when present, should prompt a thorough search for a cause of small-intestinal obstruction. In conclusion, both abdominal radiography and abdominal ultrasonography are accurate for diagnosing small-intestinal obstruction in vomiting dogs and either may be used depending on availability and examiner choice. Abdominal ultrasonography had greater accuracy, fewer equivocal results and provided greater diagnostic confidence compared with radiography. r

Linear versus non‐linear gastrointestinal foreign bodies in 499 dogs: clinical presentation, management and short‐term outcome

“…In this study, survey radiographs were adequate to confirm a diagnosis of gastrointestinal foreign body in the majority of cases (LFB 62 · 5%, NLFB 70 · 1%). While radiographs may fail to demonstrate radiolucent foreign bodies, they can reveal segmental dilation of intestines with fluid and or gas or disparate bowel populations; however, this is not pathognomonic for foreign body obstruction (Clark , Root & Lord , Gibbs & Pearson , Graham et al , McNeel & Riedesel , Tyrell & Beck , Sharma et al , Ciasca et al ). It is important to note that this study was not designed to assess the accuracy of radiography for detection of gastrointestinal foreign bodies, as all dogs included in this study had confirmed foreign bodies.…”

“…Gastrointestinal foreign bodies are a common diagnosis amongst dogs presenting for emergency veterinary care and yet they often represent a diagnostic challenge (Clark , Guilford 1996, Aronson et al , Tyrrell & Beck , Hayes , Sharma et al ). After ingestion, the onset of clinical signs can vary from hours to weeks (Capak et al , Gianella et al , Hayes ).…”

“…, Hayes ). Moreover, while radiography is commonly used to evaluate patients with suspected gastrointestinal foreign bodies, plain abdominal radiographs may be unremarkable in many cases and abdominal ultrasonography may be required to confirm the diagnosis (Root & Lord , Tidwell & Pennick , Graham et al , Tyrrell & Beck , Sharma et al ).…”

Sonographic features of gastrointestinal lymphoma in 15 dogs

“…The presence or absence of intestinal obstruction was assessed based on visualisation of an obstructive segment with dilation of intestinal loops and abnormal motility (Sharma et al . ).…”

Gastrointestinal Tract

“…[71][72][73][74] Therefore abdominal radiographs should always be taken in cases of suspected small bowel obstruction to better delineate the pattern of fluid and gas distention. [71][72][73][74] Therefore abdominal radiographs should always be taken in cases of suspected small bowel obstruction to better delineate the pattern of fluid and gas distention.…”