Radiographic evaluation of tracheal collapse in dogs by compressive technique

K.G Beltrán,M.L.A Mistieri,J.P.E Pascon

doi:10.1590/1678-4162-11324

K.G Beltrán, M.L.A Mistieri + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4162-11324

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Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to verify the applicability of the compressive radiographic technique (pressures of 5, 10, 15 and 20mmHg) in the diagnosis of tracheal collapse in small breed dogs, in lateral cervicothoracic radiography. Out of the 50 dogs evaluated, 25 presented tracheal collapse (TG group), 23 did not present tracheal collapse (CG) and two were excluded because they did not tolerate a pressure of 20 mmHg. The TG group presented a smaller internal diameter of the trachea in the region of the fourth cervical vertebra (D4) and at the entrance of the thorax (TDE) compared to the CG group, in all the radiographic projections performed, as well as within the TG group where the compressive technique differed from conventional. Furthermore, there was a correlation between the clinical sign of coughing during cervical collar use and the presence of radiographic tracheal collapse at a pressure of 20 mmHg. It was concluded that the compressive radiographic technique was feasible and efficient in confirming the diagnosis of tracheal collapse in dogs, especially in the pressure of 20 mmHg, where it was associated with clinical signs, and can be used in isolation or complementary to the conventional technique.

Highlights

Tracheal Collapse (TC) is one of the most recurring respiratory affections suffered by small-breed dogs, fostering several clinical symptoms ranging from sporadic coughing to syncopal episodes (Tappin, 2016)
25 dogs were included in the tracheal collapse group (TG) group (52.1%), which included individuals ranging from 2.5 to 15 years of age, and from 2.6 to 10 kg of body weight; This group was composed of 17 females and eight males of the following breeds: Indefinite (7), Yorkshire Terrier (6), Poodle (4), Maltese (3), Miniature Pinscher (2), Shih Tzu (2), Lhasa Apso (2) and Fox Paulistinha (1)
The results of this study show that radiographic collapse and cough in response to the use of a collar are directly related, which underlines the presence of this tracheal disorder in dogs that comprise the TG group

Summary

Introduction

Tracheal Collapse (TC) is one of the most recurring respiratory affections suffered by small-breed dogs, fostering several clinical symptoms ranging from sporadic coughing to syncopal episodes (Tappin, 2016). One of them, is carried out by lateral radiograph (X-ray) detection of a tracheal segmental collapse in the cervicothoracic region (Macready et al, 2007), The plain radiographic technique has been extensively used to detect tracheal disorders, due to low cost and less risk to patients (Maggiore, 2014). In addition to exhibiting a percentage sensitivity of 57.14% and a specificity percentage of 71.43%, by the diagnosis of tracheal collapse in dogs (Singh et al, 2012; Johnson and Pollard, 2010), the low percentage is caused by the static nature of the exam or diagnosis, for the dynamic movement of the tracheal lumen, which is subject to the constant variations in the internal pressure due to the respiratory cycle (inspiration and expiration), to the atmospheric pressures (Macready et al, 2007). Application of external pressures upon the trachea during X-ray has shown to improve the diagnostic of the tracheal collapse in dogs with clinical symptoms (Canola and Borgues, 2005)

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