Lung lobe torsion in seven juvenile dogs

Christian R. LatimerDepartment of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996.

Search for other papers by Christian R. Latimer in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
 DVM
,
Cassie N. LuxDepartment of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996.

Search for other papers by Cassie N. Lux in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
 DVM
,
Jessie S. SuttonDepartment of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616.

Search for other papers by Jessie S. Sutton in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
 DVM
, and
William T. N. CulpDepartment of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616.

Search for other papers by William T. N. Culp in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
 VMD
View More View Less
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.251.12.1450
Volume/Issue:
Volume 251: Issue 12
Online Publication Date:
15 Dec 2017
Restricted access
Sign In Reprints and Permissions Purchase Article

Abstract

CASE DESCRIPTION 7 juvenile (< 12 months old) dogs with lung lobe torsion were evaluated.

CLINICAL FINDINGS All patients were male; breeds included Pug (n = 5), Chinese Shar-Pei (1), and Bullmastiff (1). Dyspnea and lethargy were the most common initial complaints, with a duration of clinical signs ranging from 1 to 10 days. A CBC showed leukocytosis and neutrophilia in all dogs. Anemia was present in 6 dogs, 2 of which received packed RBC transfusions. The diagnosis was made on the basis of results of thoracic radiography, CT, ultrasonography, or a combination of modalities. The left cranial lung lobe was most commonly affected (n = 4), followed by the right middle lung lobe (2) and the right cranial lung lobe (1).

TREATMENT AND OUTCOME A lateral intercostal thoracotomy with lobectomy of the affected lobe was performed in all patients. All dogs survived to be discharged between 1 and 2 days postoperatively. Six of 7 owners contacted for follow-up information 7 to 170 months after discharge reported satisfaction with the treatment and no apparent signs of recurrence of disease.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE The juvenile patients of this report were successfully treated surgically with no apparent complications. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of lung lobe torsion when evaluating young dogs with clinical signs related to the respiratory system, including those with vague signs, to avoid undue delays in treatment.

Abstract

CASE DESCRIPTION 7 juvenile (< 12 months old) dogs with lung lobe torsion were evaluated.

CLINICAL FINDINGS All patients were male; breeds included Pug (n = 5), Chinese Shar-Pei (1), and Bullmastiff (1). Dyspnea and lethargy were the most common initial complaints, with a duration of clinical signs ranging from 1 to 10 days. A CBC showed leukocytosis and neutrophilia in all dogs. Anemia was present in 6 dogs, 2 of which received packed RBC transfusions. The diagnosis was made on the basis of results of thoracic radiography, CT, ultrasonography, or a combination of modalities. The left cranial lung lobe was most commonly affected (n = 4), followed by the right middle lung lobe (2) and the right cranial lung lobe (1).

TREATMENT AND OUTCOME A lateral intercostal thoracotomy with lobectomy of the affected lobe was performed in all patients. All dogs survived to be discharged between 1 and 2 days postoperatively. Six of 7 owners contacted for follow-up information 7 to 170 months after discharge reported satisfaction with the treatment and no apparent signs of recurrence of disease.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE The juvenile patients of this report were successfully treated surgically with no apparent complications. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of lung lobe torsion when evaluating young dogs with clinical signs related to the respiratory system, including those with vague signs, to avoid undue delays in treatment.

Contributor Notes

Address correspondence to Dr. Latimer (clatime1@utk.edu).
Cover Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN:
0003-1488
Publication Date:
15 Dec 2017

  • 1. Lord PF, Greiner TP, Greene RW, et al. Lung lobe torsion in the dog. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1973;9:473–482.

  • 2. Neath PJ, Brockman DJ & King LG. Lung lobe torsion in dogs: 22 cases (1981–1999). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000;217:1041–1044.

  • 3. Gelzer AR, Downs MO, Newell SM, et al. Accessory lung lobe torsion and chylothorax in an Afghan hound. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1997;33:171–176.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 4. Hofeling AD, Jackson AH, Alsup JC, et al. Spontaneous midlobar lung lobe torsion in a 2-year-old Newfoundland. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2004;40:220–223.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 5. Rooney MB, Lanz O & Monnet E. Spontaneous lung lobe torsion in two Pugs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2001;37:128–130.

  • 6. Murphy KA & Brisson BA. Evaluation of lung lobe torsion in Pugs: 7 cases (1991–2004). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2006;228:86–90.

  • 7. Johnston GR, Feeney DA, O'Brien TD, et al. Recurring lung lobe torsion in three Afghan hounds. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1984;184:842–845.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 8. Williams JH & Duncan NM. Chylothorax with concurrent right cardiac lung lobe torsion in an Afghan hound. J S Afr Vet Assoc 1986;57:35–37.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 9. MacPhail CM. Surgery of the lower respiratory system. In: Fossum TW, ed. Small animal surgery. 4th ed. St Louis: Mosby Elsevier, 2012;958–990.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 10. Terzo E, Pink J, Puggioni A, et al. Right cranial lung lobe torsion after a diaphragmatic rupture repair in a Jack Russell Terrier. Ir Vet J 2008;61:170–174.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 11. Hansen NL, Hall SA, Lavelle R, et al. Segmental lung lobe torsion in a 7-week-old Pug. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio) 2006;16:215–218.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 12. Monnet E. Lungs. In: Tobias K, Johnston S, eds. Veterinary surgery: small animal. St Louis: Saunders Elsevier, 2012;1752–1768.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 13. Agut A, Carrillo JD, Seva J, et al. What is your diagnosis? J Am Vet Med Assoc 2013;243:333–335.

  • 14. Breton L, DiFruscia R & Olivieri M. Successive torsion of the right middle and left cranial lung lobes in a dog. Can Vet J 1986;27:386–388.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 15. Tamburo R, Pietra M, Militerno G, et al. Left cranial lung torsion in a Bernese Mountain Dog: a case report. Vet Med (Praha) 2011;56:416–422.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 16. d'Anjou MA, Tidwell AS & Hecht S. Radiographic diagnosis of lung lobe torsion. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2005;46:478–484.

  • 17. Seiler G, Schwarz T, Vignoli M, et al. Computed tomographic features of lung lobe torsion. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2008;49:504–508.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 18. White RN & Corzo-Menendez N. Concurrent torsion of the right cranial and right middle lung lobes in a Whippet. J Small Anim Pract 2000;41:562–565.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 19. Della Santa D, Marchetti V, Lang J, et al. What is your diagnosis? J Am Vet Med Assoc 2006;229:1725–1726.

  • 20. Kurach LM, Nykamp SG & Ringwood PB. What is your diagnosis? J Am Vet Med Assoc 2012;241:1149–1151.

  • 21. Schultz RM, Peters J & Zwingenberger A. Radiography, computed tomography and virtual bronchoscopy in four dogs and two cats with lung lobe torsion. J Small Anim Pract 2009;50:360–363.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 22. Choi J & Yoon J. Lung lobe torsion in a Yorkshire Terrier. J Small Anim Pract 2006;47:557.

  • 23. Davies JA, Snead EC & Pharr JW. Tussive syncope in a Pug with lung-lobe torsion. Can Vet J 2011;52:656–660.

  • 24. Schwartz SG, Mitchell SL, Keating JH, et al. Liver lobe torsion in dogs: 13 cases (1995–2004). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2006;228:242–247.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 25. Weber NA. Chronic primary splenic torsion with peritoneal adhesions in a dog: case report and literature review. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2000;36:390–394.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • 26. Spranklin DB, Gulikers KP & Lanz OI. Recurrence of spontaneous lung lobe torsion in a Pug. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2003;39:446–451.

Advertisement