Tension pneumothorax secondary to a grass awn in a dog

Abstract

A 15-month-old female mixed breed dog was referred with a 3-day history of progressive dyspnoea and change in bark. Thoracic radiography showed pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and atelectatic caudal lung lobes. Despite repeated thoracentesis and thoracostomy tube drainage, dyspnoea and cyanosis relapsed leading to the diagnosis of tension pneumothorax. An emergency exploratory thoracotomy showed a perforation on the ventral aspect of the right caudal lung lobe associated with a grass awn. Partial lobectomy was performed, followed by routine thoracotomy closure. The dog had an uneventful recovery and, on re-examination 2 and 6 months later, was normal.

Clinical and clinicopathological characteristics, treatment, and outcome for dogs and cats with confirmed foxtail foreign body lesions: 791 cases (2009–2018)

“…Thoracic migration of grass awns in small animals has been well documented, with sequela including lung lobe abscessation, pneumothorax, and pyothorax 1,2,14,28,29 . Tension pneumothorax has also been reported 30 . Of the 36 cases in this series with a foxtail located in the airway or in the thoracic cavity, 7 patients had developed a spontaneous pneumothorax, 9 had a pyothorax, and 7 animals presented with combined pneumothorax and pyothorax.…”

“…1,2,14,28,29 Tension pneumothorax has also been reported. 30 Of the 36 cases in this series with a foxtail located in the airway or in the thoracic cavity, 7 patients had developed a spontaneous pneumothorax, 9 had a pyothorax, and 7 animals presented with combined pneumothorax and pyothorax. Spontaneous pneumothorax is relatively rare and far less common than traumatic pneumothorax, 31,32 while migrating plant material has been reported as the most common cause of pyothorax in dogs.…”