Small Animal Radiology and Ultrasound: A Diagnostic Atlas and Text

Chapter Two The Thorax 173
A
B
Fig. 2-152 An 8-year-old male Labrador Retriever with exercise intolerance and ascites of 3 months
duration. A, A right parasternal long-axis four-chamber view in early diastole reveals a moderate
pericardial effusion (small arrow). Identified are the left atrium (LA), left ventricle (LV), and right
atrium (RA). The right atrial free wall is apparent (large arrow). B, A right parasternal long-axis fourchamber
view in late diastole reveals collapse of the right atrium (large arrow). The pericardial effusion
is still evident (small arrow). The cause of the effusion was not determined. Diagnosis:
Idiopathic pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade.
Fig. 2-153 A 9-year-old female
Keeshond with ascites and exercise
intolerance of several weeks duration.
An M-mode echocardiogram of
the ventricles reveals paradoxical
septal motion—left ventricular free
wall (lvw) and interventricular septum
(vs) move in parallel (long, thin
arrows). Pericardial effusion and
pericardial thickening (possible fibrin
deposition) are apparent (large
arrow). Diagnosis: Pericardial effusion
and tamponade with paradoxical
septal motion.
R E S T R I C T I V E P E R I C A R D I A L D I S E A S E
Chronic infection or inflammation may result in pericardial fibrosis and restrictive pericardial
disease. 482,483 Recognition of this condition is very difficult; however, the presence
of an irregularly shaped cardiac silhouette in a patient with right heart failure without
right-sided cardiomegaly suggests the diagnosis of restrictive pericardial disease. No specific
echocardiographic findings have been reported, but a thickened or irregular pericardium
may be identified (Fig. 2-157).
P E R I C A R D I A L D I A P H R AG M AT I C H E R N I A
Pericardial diaphragmatic hernia will result in a pumpkin- or soccer ball–shaped cardiac
silhouette. The condition is easily recognized when intestines or fat are present within the