effect of positioning on the radiographic appearance of Caudodorsal Mediastinal masses in the dog

• Published in: Veterinary radiology & ultrasound Vol. 50; no. 6; pp. 630 - 634
• Main Authors: Kirberger, R.M, Dvir, E, Van Der Merwe, L.L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Malden, USA : Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.11.2009; Blackwell Publishing Inc
• Subjects: accuracy; aneurysm; animal pathology; Animals; aorta; arteries; blood vessels; caudodorsal mediastinum; disease detection; disease diagnosis; dog; dog diseases; Dog Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Dog Diseases - parasitology; Dogs; Endoscopy - veterinary; esophageal diseases; esophagus; image analysis; Mediastinal Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Mediastinal Neoplasms - parasitology; Mediastinal Neoplasms - veterinary; mediastinum; methodology; nematode infections; Patient Positioning - veterinary; positioning; Posture; Prospective Studies; radiography; Radiography, Thoracic - methods; Radiography, Thoracic - veterinary; radiology; Spirocerca lupi; spirocercosis; Spirurida Infections - diagnostic imaging; Spirurida Infections - veterinary; Thelazioidea; thorax; validity
• ISSN: 1058-8183; 1740-8261
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2009.01594.x

In this prospective study, the effect of thoracic positioning on the visibility and size of caudal esophageal masses caused by spirocercosis was investigated. Dorsoventral (DV), ventrodorsal (VD) as well as left lateral recumbent (LLR) and right lateral recumbent (RLR) thoracic radiographs of 28 dogs, diagnosed endoscopically with spirocercosis, were evaluated. The radiographic findings were compared with those of esophageal endoscopy. Masses were seen equally well in left vs. right recumbency as well as in DV vs. VD positions but in DV/VD views 86% of masses were detected whereas in lateral views only 50% of masses were identified. In spirocercosis-endemic areas DV and RLR views are advised as they also allow for better visualization of descending aorta aneurysms and to avoid interpreting the potentially normally visible esophagus in LLR in large dogs as a mass.