Thoracic Computed Tomography in Feline Patients Without Use of Chemical Restraint

Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) and thoracic radiography were performed in nonsedated, nonanesthetized, cats with thoracic disease. The final diagnosis was obtained with echocardiography, cytology, histopathology, necropsy, or response to therapy. For CT imaging, cats were in a positioning device using a 16 multislice helical CT system. Fifty-four cats had CT imaging of which 50 had thoracic radiography. The most common diagnoses were lung neoplasia, lower airway disease, and cardiomyopathy (nine each). Other disease groups included mediastinal mass (eight), infection (seven), trauma (four), and hernia (three). CT provided additional correct diagnoses in 28% (14/50) and additional information in 74% (37/50) of the cats. Additional correct diagnoses achieved only with CT were most common for cats with lower airway disease. The most common additional findings with CT were lung nodules (n=4), lung masses (n=4), bronchiectasis (n=4), and mediastinal lymphadenopathy (n=3). Survey CT led to a significant different diagnosis or different prognosis in 20 of the 50 cats that were imaged both modalities. Contrast CT was performed in 19 cats, most commonly in cats with lung neoplasia (n=6), a mediastinal mass (n=4) or an infection (n=3), and provided additional correct diagnosis in two cats not achieved with survey CT. Thoracic CT using a positioning device in diseased awake cats is feasible, safe, and clinically useful.

Comparison of Thoracic Radiography and Computed Tomography in Calves with Naturally Occurring Respiratory Disease

“…This is consistent with reports in small animals describing the use of MDCT in awake or sedated animal for the acquisition of pelvic CTs for trauma evaluation in dogs, the abdomen in dogs with acute abdominal signs, and studies of the cat respiratory tract for assessment of upper airway obstruction (11–13, 15). Although calves with respiratory disease commonly have tachypnea and cough as well as other signs of respiratory compromise, the plane of sedation provided by the sedation protocol described herein allowed acquisition of CT images with a generally mild degree of respiratory motion, which did not preclude evaluation of the bronchial tree or pulmonary vasculature or parenchyma.…”

“…However, calves with severe respiratory impairment due to pneumonia often have an increased anesthetic risk. Although CT scanning protocols have been described for awake and sedated patients including for normal cats and cats with upper airway obstruction and intrathoracic disease, dogs with acute abdominal signs, and dogs with traumatic pelvic fractures, as well as healthy sedated foals neither has been evaluated in calves to date (11–15). …”

Qualitative and quantitative interpretation of computed tomography of the lungs in healthy neonatal foals

“…A specially designed restraint device has greatly facilitated CT imaging in awake or minimally sedated cats and small dogs. 6,27,28 For safety and practical reasons, larger animals, particularly neonatal foals, cannot undergo imaging when awake; however, the use of short-term IV sedation may provide a safe alternative to anesthesia in this population of animals.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5] In veterinary medicine, radiography remains the standard method for imaging the lungs, 6,7 although the use of CT for the diagnosis of thoracic disease in dogs and cats has been well described. [6][7][8] In sick equine neonates, respiratory disease is a clinically important factor contributing to illness and death, with immaturity of pulmonary and systemic immunity and concurrent systemic disease such as sepsis predisposing foals to pulmonary disease. [9][10][11][12][13] The diagnosis and characterization of respiratory disease in hospitalized foals largely rely on radiographic analysis.…”

Comparison of Computed Tomographic Images of Birds Obtained With Sedation vs General Anesthesia

“…14,15 These studies employed a novel device (e.g., VetMouseTrap TM ) that allowed imaging of alert cats with minimal motion artifact. 14,15 In both studies, diagnostic quality CT images were obtained. 14,15 A recent CT study evaluating awake swans found similar results.…”