Case Study

Omental abscess in an 11 year old MN Rottweiler with a history of vomiting

An 11-year-old NM Rottweiler was presented for evaluation of vomiting that was worse at night. Previous radiographs were suspicious for a gastric foreign body, which appeared resolved on subsequent radiographs. Additional history was that he had a myxosarcoma on the hind limb. Bloodwork and UA were not available at the time of the sonogram.

DX

Omental abscess

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Omental abscess in the cranial abdomen. The changes seen on ultrasonographic examination reveal a suspected omental abscess. The patient was sedated and the mass was aspirated and revealed purulent material. Surgical intervention is required at this time and the patient should be placed on antibiotic therapy post operatively. The remainder of the changes in the abdomen appeared to be age related changes at this time. The prognosis is guarded.

Image Interpretation

A large mass was noted in the cranial left abdomen. The mass was hyperechoic with hypoechoic/anechoic contents. The mass was irregular in contour. This mass is suspected to be an omental abscess. Surgical intervention is warranted at this time.

Comments

The patient was lost to follow-up but surgical resection would have been the next therapeutic step.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

GI tract – foreign body, neoplasia, gastric ulcer, chronic gastritis, pyloric hypertrophy, IBD. Peritoneum – focal peritonitis, neoplasia. Pancreas – chronic pancreatitis, neoplasia.