Generalized Subcutaneous Emphysema Secondary to Pneumomediastinum in a Newborn kitten

Authors

  • Camilla Ingrid Queiroz Fraga Departamento de Ciências Veterinária, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal, Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA), Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil.
  • Francisca Maria Sousa Barbosa Departamento de Ciências Veterinária, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal, Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA), Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil.
  • Maria Duarte Kobayashi Departamento de Ciências Veterinária, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal, Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA), Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil.
  • José Ferreira da Silva Neto Departamento de Ciências Veterinária, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal, Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA), Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil.
  • Vanessa Martins Favad Milken Departamento de Ciências Veterinária, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal, Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA), Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil.
  • Ricardo Barbosa de Lucena Departamento de Ciências Veterinária, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal, Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA), Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22456/1679-9216.96368

Abstract

Background: Pneumomediastinum is a rare entity characterized by the introduction of air into the mediastinum. Primary or spontaneous pneumomediastinum may occur in the absence of any disease whereas secondary pneumomediastinum may be due to a number of precipitating factors. The clinical picture is severe and the onset is acute. The present report describes the clinical presentation, treatment, and the findings of a forensic investigation of a case of generalized subcutaneous emphysema secundary to pneumomediastinum in a newborn kitten. Case: A newborn kitten was presented to a veterinary climic with a history of generalized air accumulation in the subcutaneous tissue of acute onset which was noted whenever the animal suckled. Clinical care and radiographic examination were performed. Radiographic findings included areas of radiolucency within the subcutis suggestive of generalized subcutaneous emphysema. In the thoracic cavity, there was ventral displacement of the thoracic trachea and increased radiolucency in the cranial mediastinum suggestive of pneumomediastinum. There was loss of definition of the cervical trachea suggestive of tracheal rupture. Based on the radiographic findings, the clinician decided to aspirate the air accumated within the subcutis using a needle and a syringe. However, this emphysema rapidly formed after the subcutaneous air was aspirated. Euthanasia was elected due to the poor prognosis and the animal was submitted for necropsy. Main gross findings included traumatic intercostal laceration adjacent to the lungs under the axilla and tracheal perforation. Tracheal perforation resulted in persistent air leakage from the trachea causing pneumomediastinum which evolved into generalized subcutaneous emphysema causing the animal to inflate as air became trapped within the subcutis imparting a blown up appearance to the cat. Microscopically pulmonary collapse was observed. Symptomatic treatment was instituted and consisted of puncturing the distended skin with needle and syringe. Percutaneous drainage of the subcutaneous air was unsuccessful.

Discussion: In the present case, the diagnosis of generalized subcutaneous emphysema due to pneumomediastinum in a newborn kitten was based on the history, clinical signs, radiographic findings, and gross necropsy lesions. However, the histopathological findings were non-specific. The present case is an example of secondary pneumomediastinum. Tracheal perforation resulted in massive air penetration into the mediastinum. Generalized subcutaneous emphysema developed as a complication of the pneumomediastinum. Queens carry their offspring using their mouth. We suggest that the tracheal lesion is a penetrating tracheal trauma and that this injury was inflicted by the mother's canine teeth as she transported the kitten with the animal's neck and chest inside her mouth. There was no history that the kitten was attacked by other animal or of any other type of trauma. Initial conservative treatment consisted of puncturing the skin in order to release subcutaneous air and relieve pain. Oxygen supply was not considered due to practical reasons since such supportive therapy would worsen the clinical picture of the patient. Necropsy findings were of major importance to establish a definitive diagnosis. Gross lesions included tracheal perforation, which caused pneumomediastinum through air leakage into the mediastinum and lead to the subcutaneous emphysema. We conclude that unintentional traumatic injuries in a newborn kitten caused by the queen should be considered as a cause of pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema. The clinical picture is severe, of acute onset, and exhibits a rapidly progressive course.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Beaver B.V. 2003. Feline Behavior: A Guide for Veterinarians. 2nd edn. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 360p.

Ettinger S.J. & Feldman E. 2005. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 6th edn. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 2208p.

Ho A.S., Ahmed A., Huang J.S., Menias C.O. & Bhalla S. 2012. Multidetector computed tomography of spontaneous versus secondary pneumomediastinum in 89 patients: can multidetector computed tomography be used to reliably distinguish between the 2 entities. Journal of Thoracic Imaging. 27(2): 71-135.

Kealy J.K., Mcallister H. & Graham J.P. 2012. Radiografia e Ultrassonografia do Cão & do Gato. 5.ed. Rio de Janeiro: Elsevier, 600p.

Kim K.S., Jeon H.W., Moon Y., Kim Y.D., Ahn M.I., Park J.K. & Jo K.H. 2015. Clinical experience of spontaneous pneumomediastinum: diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Thoracic Disease. 7(10): 817-1824.

Macklin M.T & Macklin C.C. 1944. Malignant interstitial emphysema of the lungs and mediastinum as an important occult complication in many respiratory diseases and other conditions: an interpretation of the clinical literature in the light of laboratory experiment. Medicine. 23(4): 281-358.

Maes S., Goethem B.V., Saunders J., Binst D., Chiers K. & Ducatelle R. 2011. Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema in a cat associated with necrotizing bronchopneumonia caused by feline herpesvirus-1. Canadian Veterinary Journal. 52(10): 1119-1122.

Mitchell S.L., Mccarthy R., Pudloff E. & Pernell R.T. 2000. Tracheal rupture associated with intubation in cats: 20 cases (1996-1998). Journal American Veterinary Medical Association. 216(10): 1592-1595.

Nelson R.W. & Couto C.G. 2015. Medicina Interna de Pequenos Animais. 5.ed. Rio de Janeiro: Elsevier, 1474p.

Petevinos H. 2006. A Method for Resolving Subcutaneous Emphysema in a Griffon Vulture Chick (Gyps fulvus). Topics in Medicine and Surgery. 15(2): 132-137.

Thomas E.K. & Syring R.S. 2013. Pneumomediastinum in cats: 45 cases (2000-2010). Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. 23(4): 429-435.

Zylak C.M., Standen J.R., Barnes G.R. & Zylak C.J. 2000. Pneumomediastinum revisited. Radiographics. 20(4): 1043-1057 .

Published

2019-01-01

How to Cite

Fraga, C. I. Q., Sousa Barbosa, F. M., Kobayashi, M. D., da Silva Neto, J. F., Favad Milken, V. M., & de Lucena, R. B. (2019). Generalized Subcutaneous Emphysema Secondary to Pneumomediastinum in a Newborn kitten. Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, 47. https://doi.org/10.22456/1679-9216.96368

Most read articles by the same author(s)