scott@vtx-cpd.com
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Replying to Elizabeth Murch 14/08/2025 - 13:46
Radiography report:
Abdomen
Serosal detail: Within normal limits for both peritoneal and retroperitoneal spaces.
Foreign material: Multiple, thin, linear metallic opacities within the peritoneal cavity and possibly in the small intestinal lumen (Figure 1, arrowheads) – likely incidental barbecue brush bristles.
Stomach: Moderately to markedly distended with homogeneous fluid/soft tissue opaque material and gas (Figure 1, ovals). Gas redistributes normally between views. The pylorus appears empty in the left lateral view (Figure 1, arrow).
Small intestine: Descending duodenum and several other loops are overdistended with homogeneous fluid/soft tissue opaque material and scant gas, with a stacked appearance (Figure 1, #). Other loops are empty (**Figure 1, ***).
Colon: Mildly distended with formed soft tissue opaque fecal material and gas. Cecum not identified.
Other abdominal structures: Liver, spleen, visible renal margins, urinary bladder, and musculoskeletal structures are within normal limits.
Thorax
Pulmonary pattern: Alveolar patterns are present in the ventral right middle lung lobe, caudal subsegment of the left cranial lung lobe, and caudoventral aspect of the right cranial lung lobe (Figure 2, ovals).
Other thoracic structures: Trachea normal in diameter and position, cardiac silhouette, pulmonary vessels, and caudal vena cava are small. No pleural abnormalities. Musculoskeletal structures within normal limits.
Conclusions
Abdomen: Two populations of small intestine most consistent with a mechanical ileus. Metallic peritoneal/intestinal foreign bodies (barbecue brush bristles) likely incidental.
Thorax: Aspiration pneumonia in the right cranial, right middle, and left cranial lung lobes.
Additional Comments
Findings are most consistent with a small intestinal obstruction, which likely explains the clinical signs. Cause is not identified, but given chronicity, possibilities include:
Intestinal mass
Chronic, non-mineral foreign body
Intussusception
Abdominal ultrasound is recommended to determine the cause.
