Case Study

Jejunal Foreign Body, Jejunal Obstruction 10 Year Old West Highland Terrier dog

A 10 year old West highland terrier dog was presented for evaluation of inappetence and lethargy following the ingestion of sago palm seeds.

A 10 year old West highland terrier dog was presented for evaluation of inappetence and lethargy following the ingestion of sago palm seeds.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Mid small intestinal obstruction owing to strongly shadowing 1.8-2.0 cm foreign body. Localized reactive fat and slight free fluid suggestive of emerging peritonitis. Immediate exploratory surgery would be warranted with expectations towards enterotomy or manual manipulation of passage of foreign body into the colon if possible.

Image Interpretation

The gastrointestinal tract in this patient presented as dilated small intestine with surrounding fat that appeared reactive. Intestinal dilation was noted and followed by 1.8 cm of shadowing foreign body. This is consistent with a hard, dense structure. Empty small intestine was noted elsewhere. An adhesion pattern was noted between the dilated intestine that appeared obstructed. Some localized free fluid was noted adjacent to the reactive fat. This is suggestive of an emerging peritonitis. The stomach was dilated with echogenic fluid owing to intestinal obstruction.