Open AccessAbnormalities of the Thoracic Bellows: Stress Fractures of the Ribs and Hiatal Hernia
Author(s) -
Hardie Elizabeth M.,
Ramirez Oscar,
Clary Erik M.,
Kornegay Joseph N.,
Correa Maria T.,
Feimster R. Alan,
Robertson Emily R.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1998.tb02123.x
Subject(s) - medicine , hiatal hernia , rib cage , diaphragm (acoustics) , thoracic cavity , hernia , bellows , diaphragmatic hernia , surgery , disease , anatomy , mechanical engineering , physics , reflux , acoustics , loudspeaker , engineering
The thoracic bellows mechanism consists of the rib cage and the diaphragm. The purpose of this study was to determine if nontraumatically acquired lesions of the bellows were secondary to underlying disease. Abnormalities of the bellows, specifically stress fractures of the ribs and hiatal hernia, were found in 21 dogs and cats with underlying cardiopulmonary disease, neuromuscular disease, or metabolic disease. A case‐control study of Bulldogs demonstrated that hiatal hernia was associated with the more severe manifestations of brachycephalic syndrome. Stress fractures occurred mostly in females and in cats, and involved multiple ribs. Fractures were usually related to severe respiratory effort, but also occurred in association with metabolic disease. Hiatal hernia was also associated with severe respiratory effort, but may be exacerbated if a neuromuscular disorder affecting the diaphragm is present. Abnormalities of the thoracic bellows, such as rib stress fractures and hiatal hernia, may be signs of underlying disease, rather than being primary causes of disease.