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TRAUMATIC SUBARACHNOID‐PLEURAL FISTULA IN A DOG
Author(s) -
Packer Rebecca A.,
Frank Paul M.,
Chambers Jonathan N.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
veterinary radiology and ultrasound
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.541
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1740-8261
pISSN - 1058-8183
DOI - 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2004.04089.x
Subject(s) - medicine , myelography , subarachnoid space , fistula , pleural cavity , epidural space , extravasation , thoracic cavity , cerebrospinal fluid , dura mater , radiology , surgery , contrast medium , spinal cord , pathology , psychiatry
Subarachnoid‐pleural fistula is a rare occurrence in humans as a result of trauma or spinal surgery. Such fistulas commonly remain undiagnosed until sufficient cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the pleural space to cause respiratory distress. We describe a subarachnoid‐pleural fistula in a dog that occurred subsequent to blunt trauma sustained during a fall, with concurrent acute, traumatic intervertebral disc rupture. The extruded disc material penetrated the dura mater, allowing communication between the subarachnoid space and the extrapleural thoracic cavity. Radiographic, myelographic, and computed tomographic (CT) findings are reviewed. Abnormalities noted during myelography included an intradural‐extramedullary lesion at T11–T12, with epidural leakage of contrast medium from the region of T12 extending cranially. In images from myelography and CT there was extravasation of contrast medium extending from the subarachnoid and epidural space into the extrapleural thoracic cavity.