Retrospective evaluation of thoracic computed tomography findings in dogs naturally infected by Angiostrongylus vasorum

Coia, Mark E.; Hammond, Gawain; Chan, Daniel; Drees, Randi; Walker, David; Murtagh, Kevin; Stone, Janine; Bexfield, Nicholas

Abstract

Angiostrongylus vasorum (A. vasorum) is an important emerging disease of canidae. Cardiorespiratory signs are common in affected dogs, therefore thoracic imaging is critical for diagnosing andmonitoring disease. Descriptions of thoracic computed tomography (CT) findings in dogs naturallyinfected with A. vasorum are currently lacking. Aims of this multicenter, retrospective study were to describe thoracic CT findings in a group of dogs with confirmed disease, determine whether any changes were consistent among dogs, and propose standardized terms for describing thoracic CT findings. Nine UK-based referral centers’ clinical and imaging databases were searched for dogs that had a confirmed diagnosis of A. vasorum, and had undergone thoracic CT examination. Eighteen dogs, from seven of the centers, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The lung lobes were divided into the following three zones and the CT changes described in each: pleural (zone 1), subpleural (zone 2), and peribronchovascular (zone 3). The predominent abnormality was increased lung attenuation due to poorly defined ground-glass opacity or consolidation. There were regions of mosaic attenuation due to peripheral bronchiectasis. Nine/18 (50%) dogs showed hyperattenuating nodules of varying sizes with ill-defined margins. The distribution always affected zones 1and 2 with varied involvement of zone 3; this resulted in clear delineation between zones 2 and 3.Tracheobronchial lymphadenomegaly was frequently noted. Findings were nonspecific and there was considerable overlap with other pulmonary conditions. However, authors recommend that A. vasorum be considered a likely differential diagnosis for dogs with a predominantly peripheral distribution of lung changes.

Citation

Coia, M. E., Hammond, G., Chan, D., Drees, R., Walker, D., Murtagh, K., Stone, J., & Bexfield, N. (in press). Retrospective evaluation of thoracic computed tomography findings in dogs naturally infected by Angiostrongylus vasorum. Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound, 58(5), https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.12505

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 16, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Apr 20, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jul 10, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 10, 2017
• Journal: Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound
• Print ISSN: 1058-8183
• Electronic ISSN: 1740-8261
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 58
• Issue: 5
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.12505
• Keywords: angiostrongylosis, Angiostrongylus vasorum, canine, computed tomography, CT
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/856515
• Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vru.12505/abstract
• Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Coia ME, Hammond G, Chan D, et al. Retrospective evaluation of thoracic computed tomography findings in dogs naturally infected by Angiostrongylus vasorum. Veterinary Radiolology & Ultrasound. 2017, which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vru.12505. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
• Contract Date: Jul 10, 2017