Diagnostic imaging of foreign body reactions in dogs with diffuse back pain

Abstract

Six hunting dogs were investigated after showing signs of diffuse back pain. In three of the dogs, prodromal signs included coughing. Swelling in the dorsal lumbar region was noted in four of the dogs, but in two there was no visible or palpable swelling. Initial radiographs of the lumbar region were normal in two of the dogs and showed mild to moderate ventral periosteal reactions in the L1 to L4 region in the remaining four. On ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging, changes were seen in the sublumbar muscles (e.g., abnormal echogenicity and increased signal intensity) in five dogs examined. Exploratory surgery revealed plant material foreign bodies in the sublumbar muscles in the L1 to L4 region in five of the six dogs. The concurrent infections were caused predominantly by anaerobic bacteria common to the mucous membranes of the oropharyngeal and respiratory tracts. All dogs recovered, with restored hunting ability. The mean follow-up period was five years (range 1.3 to 7.8 years). It is proposed that the plant parts were inhaled, and then migrated along either diaphragmatic crus to lodge in the sublumbar muscles.

Diagnostic imaging of migrating kebab (sosatie) sticks – a review of 8 cases

“…MRI is an excellent method for visualising the inflammatory tissue reactions associated with soft tissue foreign bodies because of its contrast resolution and depiction of anatomy in multiple imaging planes. The surrounding tissue inflammatory reaction may constitute the most visible abnormality, which is seen as hyperintense lesions relative to the surrounding musculature on T1-and T2-weighted MRI images and usually exhibits contrast enhancement, as described for foreign bodies in canine sublumbar musculature 5 . Computed tomography of non-gastrointestinal wooden foreign bodies has been described in dogs 10 .…”

“…Detection of ingested and perforating wooden foreign bodies has been described 2,4,5,7,8,12,14,18 . A variable degree of migration of such foreign bodies from the gastrointestinal tract has been documented, which includes migration of a sosatie stick to a lumbar vertebra with secondary vertebral osteomyelitis in an animal that presented with lumbar pain of 10 months' duration 2 ; migration of an ice-lolly stick from the jejunum into the bladder 18 ; a non-healing wound on the thorax diagnosed as gastrocutaneous fistula formation secondary to migration of an ice-lolly stick 4 , and migration of 2 cocktail sticks into the sublumbar musculature 11 .…”

“…Non-specific radiographic changes such as localised periosteal reactions on vertebra or ribs, poor abdominal detail or free peritoneal gas are suggestive of a perforating foreign body. Ventral vertebral periosteal reactions in the L1 to L4 region have been associated with grass awn inhalation and secondary migration via the diaphragmatic crura to their origin at L3 and L4 with associated lumbar vertebral abscessation in hunting dogs 5 . Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are advanced imaging modalities that can be useful to diagnose wooden foreign bodies.…”

Acute Pancreatitis Associated With Peritoneal Migration of Grass Awn in Two Dogs

“…They fi nally become trapped at the peripheral attachment of the diaphragm, or migrate further from this point into the intercostal, abdominal or sublumbar musculature, where abscesses, granulomas, vertebral periostitis or osteomyelitis, and chronic draining sinus tracts are common consequences [2,5].…”

“…Several studies have reported on the migration of grass awns into the sub lumbar muscle which led to discospondylitis, abscesses and fi stulous tracts [1,4,5]. In the abdominal cavity awns have been reported in the bladder where they induced urolith formation in two cases and in the cranial portion of the abdomen where they caused focal peritonitis medial to the descending duodenum [6][7][8].…”