Radiology Case

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Radiographic findings: There is a well-delineated homogenous soft tissue structure within the stomach that does not resemble food (arrows). The small intestines are moderately gas filled. There is a small amount of feces in the descending colon.

Radiographic impression: The gastric opacity is consistent with a trichobezoar or other soft tissue gastric foreign body. The dilation of the small intestines is non-specific and suggests diffuse enteritis (IBD, infectious), ileus, or diffuse neoplasia.

Comments: The compact tubular appearance of the gastric contents along with the history of anorexia for several days supports a gastric soft tissue foreign body. In a cat expected causes are a trichobezoar, fibrous material secondary to "wool sucking" behavior, or other compacted textile foreign body.1 The opacity has a similar appearance to trichobezoars reported in rabbits. 2-4 Normal gastric ingesta can also appear similar to a trichobezoar; radiography can not differentiate the two.3 The diagnosis is presumptive and is supported by a history of anorexia and a lack of "wool sucking" behavior or foreign body ingestion. When a gastric foreign body is suspected, a negative gastrogram (room air) could be helpful to define the suspect foreign body and, in many cases, may provide a final diagnosis.

References

1. Twedt D, Tams T. Diseases of the stomach In: Sherding RG, ed. The Cat: diseases and clinical management. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1989;941.
2. Carpenter J. Trichobezoars and gastric stasis in rabbits In: Bonagura J, ed. Kirk's Current veterinary therapy XIII: small animal practice. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 2000;1140-1144.
3. Gillett NA, Brooks DL, Tillman PC. Medical and surgical management of gastric obstruction from a hairball in the rabbit. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1983;183:1176-1178.
4. Jenkins J. Gastrointestinal diseases In: Hillyer EV and Quesenberry KE, eds. Ferrets, rabbits, and rodents: clinical medicine and surgery. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co., 1997;178-179.

Dr. John Feleciano, DVM, DACVR
Dr. Renee Leveille, DVM, DACVR

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