1 year old male castrated Labrador with two day history of vomiting and anorexia.

Allison Zwingenberger

University of California Davis


Copyright Veterinaryradiology.net
Publication Date: 2007-09-06

History

1 year old male castrated Labrador with two day history of vomiting and anorexia.

7 images

       
   

Findings

The first three radiographs show foreign material within an enlarged bowel loop in the right cranial abdomen. This is most likely duodenum as fecal material is present in the colon near the pelvic inlet superimposed on this loop. The gas-filled cecum is also medial to the duodenum supporting this diagnosis. The foreign material is also visible in the pylorus on the left lateral projection. The remainder of the small intestine is normal in size.

The second set of radigraphs were taken 12 hours later. The foreign material is still present in the duodenum though the pylorus appears empty.

Differentials

Diagnosis

Duodenal foreign material.

A large amount of plastic, hair and thread were removed from the descending duodenum. The stomach was empty at the time of surgery.

Discussion

The foreign material mimics fecal material in the ascending colon at first glance. Locating the colon is an important step in diagnosing a small intestinal obstruction. In the first set of radiographs, some segments of colon are identifiable. A pneumocolon would be another option to localize it. On the later projections, the duodenum can also be traced from the pylorus to the caudal duodenal flexure.