Open AccessCongenital Lobar Emphysema and Tension Pneumothorax in a Dog
Author(s) -
Gopakumar Gopalakrishnan,
Gregory W. Stevenson
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.529
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1943-4936
pISSN - 1040-6387
DOI - 10.1177/104063870701900319
Subject(s) - medicine , atelectasis , elastic recoil , congenital lobar emphysema , pneumothorax , thoracic cavity , lung , expiration , pleural cavity , air trapping , bronchiectasis , pulmonary emphysema , pathology , swallowing , surgery , anatomy , anesthesia , respiratory system
Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) and tension pneumothorax (TPT) are rarely reported in dogs. A case of CLE of the right middle lung lobe predisposing to air trapping, alveolar hyperinflation, and pleural rupture resulting in fatal spontaneous TPT in a 6-month-old mixed breed dog is described. The unique alteration of “bloat line” was observed in this case in addition to compressive atelectasis of all other lung lobes and lack of negative pressure within the thoracic cavity, signifying markedly elevated intrathoracic pressure. Bronchial cartilage hypoplasia and bronchiectasis were confirmed microscopically, which likely led to abnormal dynamic collapse of bronchi during expiration, consequentially leading to increased intrapulmonary pressure, bullous emphysema, and pleural rupture resulting in TPT. TPT consequent to CLE may therefore be considered one of the potential causes of sudden death in young dogs without overt clinical illness.