Exam 2 - Esophagus Flashcards
from dorsal to ventral, what 3 tubular structures cross the diaphragm in the thoracic region?
- aorta
- esophagus
- caudal vena cava
in the left lateral thoracic view, what may be seen in the caudal intrathoracic esophagus?
small amount of fluid visible as a soft tissue opaque band between the aorta & caudal vena cava
what is the spatial relationship between the esophagus & the trachea as it goes through the thorax?
esophagus predominantly runs dorsal/left to the trachea, but it can dip ventrally in the cranial thorax
what is this?
ventral, u-shaped diverticulum at the level of the thoracic inlet in some brachycephalic breeds/sharpeis
what is this? why does it happen in the cat?
herringbone pattern
created by the longitudinal & transverse folds of the mucosal layer in the caudal esophagus
- gas in esophagus
- epiglottis
- oropharynx
- soft palate
- nasopharynx
- laryngopharynx
- cranial esophageal sphincter (cricopharyngeal sphincter)
what are 5 general radiographic findings associated with esophageal disease?
- increased opacity of the mediastinum
- decreased opacity of the mediastinum
- ventral displacement of the trachea
- pleural effusion secondary to perforation
- aspiration pneumonia
in this 10 year old dog with chronic vomiting, what is seen on these radiographs?
generalized megaesophagus, air bronchograms, & lobar sign
whenever megaesophagus is suspected or the patient has a history of regurgitation, what should you do?
evaluate for secondary aspiration pneumonia
in this 3 year old cat with respiratory signs, what is seen on rads?
generalized megaesophagus, ventrally displaced trachea, & ventrally distributed alveolar pattern
for focal/segmental esophageal dilation, what are the main differentials under obstruction?
- foreign body
- vascular ring anomaly - persistent right aortic arch
- stricture
what are the 3 common locations of esophageal foreign bodies?
thoracic inlet, heart base, & cranial to the diaphragm
what is the likely cause of segmental esophageal dilation seen on this rad?
foreign body
in this 3 month old puppy with poor BCS & regurgitation, what is your suspected differential?
persistent right aortic arch
ventral deviation, compression, & leftward deviation of the trachea
what neoplasias are associated with esophageal wall masses?
squamous cell carcinoma, leiomyoma, & leiomyosarcoma