Radiographic and Ultrasonographic Findings in Three Surgically Confirmed Cases of Small Intestinal Ischemia Related to Mesenteric Volvulus or Intestinal Torsion in Dogs

This case report describes the radiographic and ultrasonographic findings of three surgically confirmed cases of mesenteric volvulus or intestinal torsion in dogs. In all three cases, ultrasonographic findings included segmental ileus and absent or markedly reduced peristalsis of the affected small intestine, and partial loss of wall layering with increased overall echogenicity of the intestinal wall, but with normal to mildly increased wall thickening. No blood flow was detected in the affected small intestinal wall when assessed with colour Doppler. A moderate amount of peritoneal effusion was also detected with hyperechoic omental and mesenteric fat tissue throughout the peritoneal cavity. Few reports describe ultrasonographic findings of small intestinal ischemia in small animals. In all three cases presented here, ultrasound was helpful in demonstrating typical intestinal wall changes and helped to obtain the correct diagnosis of ischemic disease of the small intestine.

Novel Technique of Multislice CT Angiography for Diagnosis of Portosystemic Shunts in Sedated Dogs

Diagnosing portosystemic shunts (PSS) can be challenging in veterinary patients. Multiple imaging techniques have been described to diagnose PSS. The aim of the study was to investigate whether a novel multi-slice computed tomography (CT) angiographic protocol could be used for diagnosis of PSS in dogs utilizing only patient sedation and without the need of test injection. Independent, blinded reviewers evaluated CT studies in a randomized order for study quality, shunt presence, number, and location of shunt origin and termination. Twenty two confirmed dogs were included in the study including 16 dogs with single extrahepatic congenital PSS, one dog with single intrahepatic congenital PSS, and two dogs with multiple acquired PSS. Three of the dogs (3/22) were surgically and histologically confirmed free of shunts. Final diagnosis was confirmed by surgery or necropsy. The new CT angiography protocol was shown to be diagnostic in dogs with PSS with no need for general anesthesia, test injections, delay times or timing determinations. Specificity and sensitivity were good (100%). The quality of the studies was considered good in the majority of cases (20/22). The amount of motion artifact in the CT scans was minimal, and had no effect on the diagnostic quality. The CT protocol was found to be a useful, fast, and accurate tool for diagnosing portosystemic shunts with a 16-slice system.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonographic Detection and Dual-Phase Computed Tomographic Angiography in a 5-Year-Old Boxer with Pancreatic Insulinoma<br/>—Case Report

This case report describes the findings in a canine histopathologically confirmed pancreatic insulinoma using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and dual-phase computed tomographic angiography (CTA). The insulinoma was better demarcated in CEUS and CTA compared with conventional B-mode ultrasound. On the other hand, only one of two nodules visible in CTA was detected in CEUS. In this case, the insulinoma had an atypical non-contrast-enhancing appearance in both CEUS and CTA. Lack of enhancement in CEUS and CTA has previously been reported in human and canine studies, but this was the first report using both CEUS and CTA for detecting canine insulinoma.