Thoracic Radiology of the Dog

Dr. LeeAnn Pack

Dipl. ACVR

Thoracic Radiology of the Dog

Indications
Technical factors
Normal radiographic
anatomy
Pulmonary vasculature
Alveolar lung pattern
ABCs
Bronchial Lung Ds

Cardiology

PDA
Pulmonic stenosis
Aortic stenosis
Mitral insufficiency
DCM
Heartworm Disease

Pleural Effusion
Primary Lung Tumors
Pulmonary Nodules
Megaesophagus

Indications

Coughing
Dyspnea
Cardiovascular disease
Thoracic trauma
Assessment of primary or secondary
neoplasia
Regurgitation of food
Other abnormalities detected on PE

Technical Factors
Potential for movement
Low mAs

High inherent contrast

Low kVp

INSPIRATION
Collimation/centering

Inspiration vs. Expiration

Normal Radiographic Anatomy

Heart
2 to 3 intercostal
spaces wide on lateral
view
< 65% of the width of the
thorax on the VD view
clock face
Lung lobes

Chamber Location

Pulmonary Vasculature
Cranial pulmonary vessels
Lateral view
Artery = dorsal, vein = ventral
Diameter of vessels at the 4th ICS should
not exceed the diameter of the proximal
portion of the 3rd rib

Cranial Pulmonary Vessels

Pulmonary Vasculature

Caudal pulmonary vessels

DV view
Artery = lateral, Vein = medial
Vessels should not exceed the diameter
of the 9th rib where they cross it

Alveolar Lung Pattern

Hallmark = air bronchograms
Consolidation = alveoli filled with fluid/cells
Retains shape

Atelectasis = collapse of alveolar lung

space
Lobe size decreased, mediastinal shift possible

Air Bronchogram

Alveolar Lung Pattern

Lobar sign
Summation superimposed over
cardiac silhouette
May not see pulmonary vessels in area
of pattern due to soft tissue opacity

Nice Air Bronchograms

The ABCs

A
Atelectasis
General anx
Recumbent animals
Dependent lung lobes
affected

Aspiration pneumonia
Cranial,cranioventral
lung lobes affected
Megaesophagus
Post anesthesia

B
Bronchopneumonia
Cranioventral,
ventral

Bacterial pneumonia
Cranioventral,
ventral

C
Contusion
History of trauma
Rib fractures
Distribution varies

D
Dirofilariasis
Most common cause
of thromboembolic
disease
Increased lung
opacity
Mixed interstitial
alveolar
Caudodorsal
distribution

E
Edema
CARDIOGENIC
Left heart failure
Perihilar, symmetrical

NON-CARDIOGENIC

Electrocution
Salt water drowning
Seizures
caudodorsal

Cardiogenic Edema

Non Cardiogenic Edema Lateral

Non Cardiogenic Edema VDs

F
Foreign Body
Located in bronchus
Affected area
depends on affected
bronchus

G
Granulomatous
Fungal
Eosinophilic

Variable distribution

H
Hemorrhage
Distribution variable
depending on the
cause
Trauma
Rib fractures

Coagulopathy
Patchy, generalized

Bronchial Lung Disease

Bronchial RR Tracks

Bronchial

Donuts

Bronchial Lung Disease

Bronchial Lung Disease

Feline Asthma

Feline Asthma

Cardiology

Congenital
Acquired
Small breeds
Large breeds
Younger
Older

Patent Ductus Arteriosis

Enlargement of the descending aorta
Enlargement also of the:
Main pulmonary artery
Left atrium
Left auricle

Vessels enlarged, lungs over-circulated

Poodle, pom, collie, GSD, sheltie

PDA

PDA

Pulmonic Stenosis

Malformation of the pulmonic valve

Enlargement of the main pulmonic aa
Right ventricular enlargement
Vessels normal to small
Beagle, English Bulldog, Samoyed,
mastiff, boxer

PS

Aortic Stenosis
Narrowing of the subvalvular region of
the left ventricle
Aortic arch enlarged
Left ventricle enlarged
Vessels normal
GSD, Newfoundland, Boxer, golden
retriever, rott

AS

Mitral Insufficiency
Primary degeneration of the mitral valve
leaflets
Regurg through the valve left atrial
enlargement
Pulmonary veins enlarged
Pulmonary edema due to left heart
failure

Mitral Insufficiency

Severe Left Atrial Enlargement

Splitting of the MSB

Compression at Carina

Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Cardiac chamber enlargement +
systolic ventricular dysfunction ~
impaired cardiac contractility
Generalized cardiomegaly
Vessels may be enlarged
Pleural effusion due to right heart failure
Dobe, Great Dane, Newfoundland, Irish
Wolfhound

DCM

DCM

Pericardial Effusion

Heartworm Disease
Dilated, tortuous
pulmonary arteries
Right sided heart
enlargement
Reverse D shape
DV radiograph to
see caudal vessels

Pleural Effusion
Fluid in the pleural space
Exudate, transudate or modified
transudate
Appearance is sam regardless of the type
Usually bilateral
Fissure lines, retraction of lungs,
silhouetting of heart and diaphragm

Pleural Effusion VD vs. DV

Where Is the Heart?

Pleural Effusion CMM Present?

Primary Lung Tumors

Usually large solitary

Caudal lung lobes usually
Adenocarcinoma
Bronchogenic carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Malignant histiocytosis

Pulmonary Nodules

Megaesophagus

Congenital
Acquired
Segmental
Generalized
Radiographic signs
Aspiration pneumonia

Generalized Megaesophagus

Segmental ME - Surveys

Segmental ME - Contrast

What Do You See?

Chest Rads Same Dog

Thoracic Radiology in the Dog

Questions????