Radiology Case
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Radiographic findings: There is a disruption of alignment of the vertebral column at T 8-9, with lateral and dorsal luxation of T-9. There is also cranial luxation of the head of the left ninth rib. There is a metallic pellet lateral and to the right of the cranial lumbar spine. The mild decrease in abdominal serosal detail is most likely caused by the lack of intra-abdominal fat and from compression of the abdominal viscera by a distended urinary bladder.
Radiographic impression: The findings are consistent with a spinal fracture likely secondary to the pellet shot.
Comments: Identification of spinal fractures can be consistently achieved by using a systematic approach. Evaluation on the lateral view should include inspection of the ventral borders of the spinal column and the ventral floor of the spinal canal for parallelism. The shape, size, and radiopacity of the vertebra and articular facets should also be closely scrutinized. The ventrodorsal view is particularly useful to inspect the alignment of the spinous processes to rule out a sub-luxation, luxation, or fracture.1 The pellet may be the cause of the spinal fracture in this patient or may be an incidental finding. The caudal placement of the pellet in this case could be misleading. Pellets can travel in tissue following initial impact. If close inspection of the vertebra was confined only to the region near the pellet, the fracture of the thoracic vertebra/vertebrae could have been missed.
The images are courtesy of Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Radiology.
References
- Walker M. The Vertebrae In: Thrall DE, ed. Textbook of Veterinary Diagnostic Radiology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 1994;81-88.
Dr. John Feleciano, DVM, DACVR
Dr. Renee Leveille, DVM, DACVR