Retroperitoneal Abscesses in Seven Dogs

Abstract

Retroperitoneal abscesses, although uncommon, are clinically important. Medical records of seven dogs with naturally occurring retroperitoneal infections from 1999 to 2011 were reviewed to document historical, examination, clinicopathologic, imaging, and surgical findings; etiologic agents; and outcome. Middle-aged sporting dogs were most commonly affected. Dogs were febrile with evidence of either abdominal or lumbar pain. Although traditional radiography can aid in diagnosis, ultrasound appeared to be a more sensitive indicator of disease within the retroperitoneal space. Numerous bacteria were isolated from the abscesses, with anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria being the most commonly isolated. Etiology was largely unknown, but migrating plant material was often suspected. Resolution of the infection required surgical intervention as well as prolonged antibiotic therapy. Although recurrence is possible, outcome can be favorable with no long-term sequela.

Computed tomographic findings in 44 dogs and 10 cats with grass seed foreign bodies

“…Grass seed migration is a well‐recognised problem in dogs and cats (Brennan and Ihrke , Crha et al ). Grass spikes, spikelets and individual florets (which contain the grass seed) may be retrieved from many sites, including the ears, eyes, nose, brain, vertebral canal, thorax, abdomen, retroperitoneum, subcutaneous tissues and paws (Johnston & Summers , Brennan & Ihrke , Lotti & Niebauer , Aronson & Gregory , Frendin , Frendin et al , Demetroiu et al , Rooney & Monnet , Crha et al , Hopper et al , Dennis et al , Granger et al , Dembovska et al , Baglietto et al , Weinmann et al , Cerquetella et al , Marvel & MacPhail , Bouabdallah et al , Linon et al , Tinterrud et al ). In many cases, septic inflammation occurs as a result of infection by various bacteria that are carried by the seed, particularly Actinomyces or Nocardia spp.…”

“…(Johnston & Summers , Brennan & Ihrke , Frendin ). Inhaled grass seeds may pass down the trachea and bronchi, migrate into the pleural cavity and by following the diaphragm can reach the retroperitoneum and lumbar vertebrae (Johnston & Summers , Frendin et al , Marvel & MacPhail , Bouabdallah et al ). Migrating grass seeds in the urinary tract may cause obstruction or act as a nidus for calculus formation (Savet et al , Cherbinksy et al , Del Angel‐Caraza et al ).…”

Partial ablation of a para‐ureteral pseudocyst without ureteronephrectomy in a cat

“…Only a few case reports of retroperitoneal masses in cats have been described (Aronson 2002, Liptak and others 2004, Marvel and MacPhail 2013): fibrous masses following renal transplantation (Aronson 2002), sublumbar abscess associated with discospondilitis (Packer and others 2005), infarction (Ragni and Fews 2008) and urinoma (Lemire and Read 1998, Moores and others, 2002, Worth and Tomlin 2004, Pollaci and Nicoli 2011). …”

“…Paraureteral pseudocyst, known also as urinoma or uriniferous pseudocyst, is an accumulation of extravasated urine encapsulated by fibrous tissue in the retroperitoneal space caused by ureteral injury (Tidwell and others 1990, Moores and others 2002). …”

“…This procedure should be performed in cases of permanent renal damage, if the ureter is severely damaged or if complications occur with previous surgery in an attempt to repair the ureter (Tidwell and others 1990; Bacon and others 2002, Moores and others 2002, Packer and others 2005, Ragni and Fews 2008). …”