Case Study

Lung lobe torsion in a 6 year old MN Collie dog

A 6-year-old neutered male Collie dog was presented for evaluation of a sudden onset of respiratory distress after a week of coughing. Pyrexia, tachypnea, and muffled heart sounds on the right were evident on physical examination. Survey thoracic radiographs showed pleural effusion and an ill-defined medial lung lobe consolidation. Leukocytosis was present on CBC.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Lung lobe torsion with lobar pneumonia. Neoplasia is less likely given the smooth pleura.

Image Interpretation

Lobar lung consolidation with smooth pleural contour and echogenic pleural effusion.

DX

Right medial lung lobe torsion with lobar pneumonia.

Outcome

Thoracotomy. Patient recovered uneventfully.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

Acute respiratory distress with pleural effusion – pyothorax, para-pneumonic effusion, hemorrhage, lung lobe torsion. Cough – tracheo-bronchial pathology (bacterial, allergic, foreign body, airway collapse), pulmonary pathology (bacterial/fungal pneumonia, aspiration, abscessation, foreign body, granuloma), diaphragmatic hernia.