History:
4 months old pitbull mix, female.
Adopted from a shelter, was coughing for 8 weeks, no improvemnt with amoxyciline.
click on the images to view a full size image

Findings:
The thymic shadow is present in the left cranial thorax (sail sign on the VD view, soft tissue opacity cranial to the heart on the right lateral view).
 The cardiovascular structures are within normal limits.
A small accumulation of gas is seen in the mid thoracic esophagus.
There is a diffuse bronchointerstitial pulmonary pattern. Additionally, some areas of alveolar infiltrate are noted. These are demonstrated on a VD view, mostly in the right middle lung.
Faint plerual fissure lines are seen however they do not show divergence.
Differential diagnoses include: pneumonia (viral, bacterial), allergic pneumonitis.

Diagnosis:
Bronchoalveolar lavage revealed bacterial pneumonia (bordetella bronchoseptica, resistant to amoxicillin). The cough resolved after therapy with doxycycline.

Discussion:
The fissure lines noted in the radiograph are most likely associated with pleuritis.
They have a uniform width, unlike fissure lines due to pleural effusion which have a wedge shape.

questions, comments and feedback are welcome

Name

Email

Comments