Presentation
Presented on emergency for possible ruptured disc. Neurologic localization is T3-L3 myelopathy. Screening thoracic radiographs prior to anesthesia.
Patient Data
The cardiovascular structures are normal in size and shape. No abnormalities are seen within the pulmonary parenchyma. The mediastinum and pleural space are normal. There are multiple anomalous thoracic vertebrae consistent with the breed. Several thoracic spinous processes are fused.
Case Discussion
The left lateral radiograph is inspiratory, and the right lateral radiograph is expiratory. Expiration causes a marked increase in pulmonary opacity and difficulty in seeing the cranial lung lobes.
All bulldogs have a shortened thoracic spine due to vertebral anomalies, which is considered a normal breed variation unless it is causing spinal cord compression. The small vertebral bodies cause the ribs to be more crowded near the vertebral bodies and some increased angulation cranially and caudally on the lateral projections.
There is a misalignment of the collimated beam and the detector on all projections, resulting in a lighter colored area cranially.
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