Use of computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of mechanical gastrointestinal obstruction in canines and felines

PLoS One. 2019 Aug 23;14(8):e0219748. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219748. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to describe the use of computed tomography (CT) for diagnosis of mechanical gastrointestinal (GIT) obstruction in canines and felines. Medical records of 130 canines and felines that underwent an abdominal CT scan between 2013 and 2015 at a specialty referral hospital for suspected gastrointestinal tract (GIT) obstruction were reviewed. Images were evaluated by a single board-certified radiologist for the presence of foreign material, evidence of obstruction, and location of foreign material present. Confirmation of CT findings was based on surgical exploration or medical management if surgery was not indicated. Of the 97 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 48 (49.48%) had evidence of foreign material present within the GIT and 49 (50.52%) did not. Forty-one patients had evidence of mechanical gastrointestinal obstruction. Thirty-nine of these patients had an obstruction due to foreign material; one had an intussusception with no foreign material, and another had obstruction secondary to mucosal thickening. Forty-five patients underwent exploratory laparotomy, and CT findings were confirmed in all patients. The presence of a GIT obstruction was confirmed intra-operatively in 37 patients and lack of obstruction was confirmed in the remaining eight. Non-surgical medical management was pursued for the remaining patients. Based on follow-up client interviews, clinical signs resolved in all of these patients. In conclusion, computed tomography appears to be useful for the diagnosis of GIT obstruction in canines and felines and is a helpful tool for guiding the recommendation for surgical intervention.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Male
  • Mechanical Phenomena*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

Associated data

  • figshare/10.6084/m9.figshare.8266151

Grants and funding

There was no additional internal or external funding received for this study. Cape Cod Veterinary Specialist provided support in the form of salary for Joshua Zuckerman but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific role of this author is articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section.