Thorax

Allison Zwingenberger

University of California, Davis


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Publication Date: 2008-11-05

History

9 year old male neutered German Shepherd cross with chronic cough.

    
   

Findings

There is a diffuse bronchointerstitial pattern throughout the lungs. The bronchial walls are asymmetrically thickened and visible well out into the periphery. The bronchi do not taper well which may indicate bronchiectasis. Multiple lobar bronchi are visualized with thickened walls. The end-on bronchi form donuts, or cygnet rings. There is also a focus of increased interstitial pattern at the tip of the bronchus to the right cranial lung lobe. The cardiovascular structures are within normal limits.

DDx

Bronchointerstitial pattern - eosinophilic bronchopneumonia (PIE), parasitic pneumonia, less likely neoplasia. Interstitial pattern right cranial lobe - focal pneumonia or fibrosis Poorly tapering bronchi - possible bronchiectasis

Diagnosis

The bronchoscopic exam revealed copious amounts of mucus within the airways. A bronchioalveolar lavage showed increased numbers of eosinophils and neutrophils supporting a diagnosis of eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy. No organisms were cultured from the BAL.

Clercx C, Peeters D, Snaps F, et al. Eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 2000;14:282-291.