Radiography and ultrasonography of pneumatosis intestinalis in a cat

Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2020 May;61(3):E26-E30. doi: 10.1111/vru.12635. Epub 2018 May 24.

Abstract

An adult cat was presented for acute history of vomiting and collapse. Radiographs showed the presence of air within small intestinal walls and arborizing gas patterns within the liver, compatible with pneumatosis intestinalis and presumed portal venous gas, respectively. An abdominal ultrasound the following day was suggestive of gas within the intestinal wall, however, gas within the hepatic vasculature, parenchyma, or biliary tree was not evident. Due to progressive clinical deterioration of the patient, the owners elected humane euthanasia. Necropsy revealed severe necrotizing hemorrhagic enterotyphlocolitis secondary to Clostridium difficile toxin.

Keywords: feline; gastric pneumatosis; hepatic portal venous gas; mucosal necrosis; pneumatosis intestinalis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cat Diseases / microbiology
  • Cat Diseases / pathology
  • Cats
  • Enterocolitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Enterocolitis / pathology
  • Enterocolitis / veterinary
  • Female
  • Intestine, Small / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / pathology
  • Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / veterinary*
  • Portal Vein / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiography / veterinary
  • Ultrasonography / veterinary