Complete cardiac and bronchial avulsion in a dog: Post-mortem computed tomography and forensic necropsy analysis

Abstract

The aim of this case report was to describe non-contrast tomography findings of a cardiovascular trauma followed by a forensic necropsy in a dog. A female dog was struck by a vehicle, suffered a sudden death and was sent to a veterinary hospital. PMCT images were acquired on a 16-slice multidetector scanner and the forensic necropsy was performed afterwards. Thoracic images revealed aorta avulsion, heart dislocation, complete right bronchial rupture, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, subcutaneous emphysema, multiple rib and spine processes fractures, and a diaphragmatic rupture. Abdominal images showed free abdominal fluid, and laceration of the abdominal muscles leading to eventration of small bowel. Forensic necropsy findings corroborated the hypothesis of cardiac and bronchial avulsion. Even though no contrast media was administered in this case, it was possible to establish the cause of death based solely on the PMCT images. Further studies in this field should be conducted to evaluate the capabilities of PMCT in improving post-mortem diagnosis or even replacing it when necessary.

Don’t Lose Your Heart to a Car. Extracorporeal Ejection of the Heart by Forceful Upward Thoraco-abdominal Blunt Trauma in Human and Animal.

“…[17] Intrathoracic displacement of the heart has been proven by MRI by Fonseca-Pinto 2017 in a dog overrun by a car. [18] Complete cardiac avulsion with jugular groove skin rupture and extracorporeal heart ejection has not been published so far. This extremely rare injury most likely results from the precisely timed interplay of a complex trauma mechanism paired with particular physiological conditions that enable the forceful ejection of the heart cranially out of the thoracic inlet.…”

Classificação comparada das lesões de ordem mecânica segundo a traumatologia forense no exame de corpo de delito em animais

“…No momento da realização dos exames e diagnósticos aplicados à patologia forense veterinária é possível realizar a classificação das lesões de acordo com a traumatologia forense no exame de corpo de delito, considerando o tipo de ferimento e o tipo de instrumento utilizado para realização de lesões mecânicas, como: perfurante, cortante, contundente, pérfuro-cortante, cortocontundente ou pérfuro-contuso; além de fazer a distinção de outros tipos de lesões provocadas por energia física, químicas, bioquímica ou mistas [13,18,19].…”