Case Study

RAD – Minor esophageal gas dilation in a suspected megaesophagus in a 4 month old F Labrador Retriever

This 4 month old F Labrador Retriever presented for vomiting; PE transient megaesophagus.

CBC/Chem: HCT 33%, globulin slightly decreased at 2.1

This 4 month old F Labrador Retriever presented for vomiting; PE transient megaesophagus.

CBC/Chem: HCT 33%, globulin slightly decreased at 2.1

Image Interpretation

The thymic veil is seen within the cranioventral mediastinum which is an age related normal finding. The esophagus presents an accumulation of a small amount of gas without significant dilation cranial and dorsal to the heart. The cervical esophagus is within normal limits. A small ovoid retrosternal gas opacity is noted level with the 2^nd sternebra on the right lateral view (see picture below).

DX

• The radiographs do only show minor segmental dilation of the cranial thoracic esophagus with gas

Outcome

• No evidence of a generalized megaesophagus at the point of the radiographic examination
• The small cranioventral retrosternal gas opacity is likely to consistent with part of the cranial lung lobes. However, the possibility of a cranial thoracic esophageal diverticulum cannot be ruled out entirely.
The radiographs are inconclusive for the presence or cause of a true megaesophagus/esophageal diverticulum. A Barium swallow study is recommended for further definition of the esophageal motility and to rule out a cranioventral diverticulum.