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
what infectious causes are associated with esophageal wall masses?
spirocerca lupi
pythiosis
in this 9 year old dog with a history or regurgitation, what is seen on rads?
esophageal mural mass/infiltration
enlargement & increased soft tissue opacity of the caudal thoracic esophagus with irregular margins
widening of the caudal mediastinum secondary to esophageal enlargement
what is seen on this esophagram of an esophageal mural mass?
severe wall thickening (light-blue)
this dog is presenting with a history of coughing, what is seen on the rad & esophagram?
soft tissue mass & nodule - extraluminal pulmonary mass deviating & compressing the esophagus
contrast in the esophagus is getting displaced by the mass
what hiatal hernia type is this?
type 1 sliding hiatal- caudal esophageal sphincter & gastric fundus move in & out of the caudal mediastinum through a weakened esophageal hiatus
what hiatal hernia is seen here?
type 1
what hiatal hernia type is this?
type 2 paraesophageal hernia - gastric fundus is herniated into the caudal mediastinum along the left side of the esophagus with the sphincter remaining in the abdomen
typically static & no sliding
what hiatal hernia is seen here?
type 2
what is this? who is at risk?
gastroesophageal intussusception
young large breed dogs (GSD) with pre-existing esophageal abnormalities
what is a gastroesophageal intussusception? why is it an emergency?
stomach +/- other organs evert into the esophageal lumen
patients decompensate quickly due to esophageal obstruction & respiratory compromise
