Fluoroscopic characteristics of tracheal collapse and cervical lung herniation in dogs: 222 cases (2012–2015)

Abstract

This retrospective study included 222 dogs suspected to have tracheal collapse (TC) and examined between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2015. Fluoroscopic and radiographic images and medical records were evaluated to investigate the fluoroscopic characteristics of TC and cervical lung herniation (CLH), and to determine their relationships to various influencing. Grade of TC, existence of tracheal kinking, location of CLH (right or left side), and grade of CLH were evaluated fluoroscopically. One hundred ninety-nine dogs (89.6%) were diagnosed with TC. Presence of TC was not associated with the patients' cough history; however, CLH was positively correlated with cough history (odds ratio [OR], 2.896; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.556 to 5.390) and was affected by tracheal kinking (OR, 3.841; 95% CI, 1.884 to 7.831). Chronic cough was not related with CLH. Since TC can be observed in patients without a history of cough, presence of TC should be ruled out by using physical examination and diagnostic imaging. Although CLH is associated with a history of cough, it is a common appearance in dogs, and transient coughing can elicit CLH in patients without a history of cough.

Ventilator-Assisted Inspiratory and Expiratory Breath-Hold Thoracic Computed Tomographic Scans Can Detect Dynamic and Static Airway Collapse in Dogs with Limited Agreement with Tracheobronchoscopy

“…Bronchomalacia, defined as collapse of segmental/subsegmental airways [ 1 ], tends to be diffuse and may also have a marked impact on lung function. While tracheal and mainstem bronchial collapse is prevalent in middle-aged to old dogs weighing less than 10 kg [ 2 , 3 , 4 ], bronchomalacia, which is defined herein, affects dogs of all ages and weights [ 3 ]. In contrast, lobar bronchial collapse is frequently anatomically limited (e.g., only affecting one or few lobar bronchi) or has a minimal reduction in the airway caliber and contribution to the clinical signs and functional impairment.…”

A retrospective study of theophylline-based therapy with tracheal collapse in small-breed dogs: 47 cases (2013–2017)

“…In fluoroscopy, views were obtained with the patient in lateral and ventro-dorsal recumbency with a regular respiration phase and a forceful expiration phase. In addition to being used to diagnose TC and indicate the locations and gradings of TC in each area, fluoroscopy was also used to determine if there was lung herniation based on induced coughing in a humanoid position [6]. TC was evaluated in four regions (cervical, thoracic inlet, intrathoracic, and carinal regions) and was graded by measuring the decrease in luminal diameter: less than 25% (Grade 1), 25% to < 50% (Grade 2), 50% to 75% (Grade 3), and more than 75% (Grade 4) [2671116].…”

“…Canine tracheal collapse (TC) is a chronic, primary disease of the respiratory tract. The disease is characterized by tracheobronchomalacia with weakened and flattened C-shaped cartilage [12345], which is accompanied by narrowing of the tracheal lumen and muscle prolapse of the dorsal trachea [267]. TC occurs mainly in middle-aged to older, overweight, and small-breed dogs [248].…”

“…The clinical signs, including coughing or cyanosis, may be exacerbated with excitement. X-ray, fluoroscopy, bronchoscopy, and computed tomography imaging can be used to diagnose TC and classified it into four grades, depending on the degree of collapse in each region [24679121314].…”

Sternal Dislocation and Associated Lung Lobe Hernia in a Cat

“…Initially, cervical lung hernia was known as a rare phenomenon in dogs [ 13 ]. However, the study of Lee et al [ 14 ] reported that cervical lung hernia is finally a common finding in older dogs. No surgical management has been performed in these cases.…”