Case Study

Jejunal Foreign Body in an 11-year-old MN DSH cat

An 11-year-old NM DSH cat was presented for evaluation of vomiting and anorexia for 4-5 days with CBC and serum biochemistry showing no significant abnormalities.

An 11-year-old NM DSH cat was presented for evaluation of vomiting and anorexia for 4-5 days with CBC and serum biochemistry showing no significant abnormalities.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Distal small intestinal foreign matter with emerging peritonitis, obstructive pattern consistent with hairball or similar retention of material. The alarming part of this presentation is that there is reactive omentum associated with the serosa of portions of small intestine that would be suggestive for emerging peritonitis.

Image Interpretation

The gastrointestinal tract revealed an upper gastrointestinal obstructive pattern with fluid filled upper duodenum and stomach. It continued down to the small intestine with a region of shadowing material and reactive surrounding omentum associated with the bowel. Progressively shadowing material measured 3.0 cm. This was followed by empty small intestine. Lack of peristalsis was noted in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

DX

Jejunal foreign body, jejunal obstruction

Outcome

Exploratory was performed and a dryer sheet was removed from the intestine.

Comments

Immediate exploratory surgery is recommended with expectations towards potential bowel resection or bowel biopsy.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

GI pathology- foreign body, neoplasia, IBD, non-specific enteritis (viral/bacterial/protozoal/fungal/helminths), Helicobacter, dietary hypersensitivity, toxins