Salivary Mucoceles and Perineal Hernias

Question 1

what are the clinical signs of a salivary mucocele?

Answer 1

soft, fluctuant, non-painful cervical swelling
ranula: blood-tinged saliva
pharyngeal mucocele: dyspnea, dysphagia

Question 2

how can you treat a salivary mucocele?

Answer 2

remove offending salivary glands
can be done bilaterally
+/- resection of redundant skin

Question 3

what is the usual cause of a cervical abscess?

Answer 3

chewing sticks

Question 4

what is a perineal hernia?

Answer 4

herniation of abdominal contents through pelvic diaphragm

Question 5

what can herniate in a perineal hernia?

Answer 5

fat
urinary bladder
prostate
colon

Question 6

what is present in most cases of perineal hernia?

Answer 6

a reason for straining

Question 7

what are steroid hormones synthesized from?

Answer 7

cholesterol

Question 8

what do steroid hormones bind to?

Answer 8

steroid hormone receptors

Question 9

what are the clinical signs of perineal hernias?

Answer 9

tenesmus
dyschezia
perineal swelling
urinary obstruction is rare, even if bladder is herniated

Question 10

what are the potential complications of perineal hernia surgery?

Answer 10

infection
temporary incontinence
rectal prolapse
sciatic nerve entrapment
recurrence: <5%

Question 11

are salivary mucoceles more common in dogs or cats?

Answer 11

dogs

Question 12

which dogs have increased incidence of salivary mucoceles?

Answer 12

poodles
german shepherd dogs
dachshunds
toy breeds

Question 13

what is the most common etiology of a salivary mucocele?

Answer 13

disruption of mandibular/sublingual gland salivary duct

Question 14

what are the sites of salivary mucoceles?

Answer 14

cervical/subcutaneous: most common
sublingual
pharyngeal
less: periorbital, cheek/below ear

Question 15

what are the rule-outs for a salivary mucocele?

Answer 15

cervical abscess
tumor: thyroid, mast cell, soft tissue sarcoma

Question 16

what does the mandibular branch of CN V (trigeminal) provide?

Answer 16

sensation and taste to rostral 2/3 of tongue

Question 17

what is marsupialization?

Answer 17

an adjunct for ranulas: slow resorption

Question 18

who usually get perineal hernias?

Answer 18

intact male dogs

Question 19

what can cause an animal to strain and therefore cause a perianal hernia?

Answer 19

prostatic disease: BPH, abscess, adenocarcinoma, peri-prostatic cyst
intrapelvic lipoma
UTI/diarrhea/constipation
cats with megacolon

Question 20

where are steroid hormones produced?

Answer 20

adrenal cortex
gonads

Question 21

what is benign prostatic hyperplasia induced by?

Answer 21

dihydrotestosterone

Question 22

what is perioperative care for a perianal hernia?

Answer 22

abdominal ultrasound
relieve urinary obstruction if present
antibiotics
avoid enemas
start stool softeners

Question 23

why should you perform an abdominal ultrasound prior to surgery for a perianal hernia?

Answer 23

look for reason to strain/pelvic obstruction
assess prostate
locate bladder

Question 24

what is done in surgery for a perianal hernia?

Answer 24

castration
internal obturator muscle transposition
+/- prostatic biopsy
+/- cystopexy/colopexy