Small Animal Radiology and Ultrasound: A Diagnostic Atlas and Text

74 Small Animal Radiolo g y and Ultrasono graphy
Fig. 2-47 A 9-month-old male Pekingese with a 3-month history of
coughing. A, On the lateral radiograph the thorax is compressed in a
dorsoventral direction. The caudal sternebrae are elevated dorsally.
There is a depression in the external thoracic wall at this point. The
cardiac silhouette and trachea are displaced dorsally. B, On the ventrodorsal
radiograph, the cardiac silhouette is shifted into the left
hemithorax. There is no evidence of pulmonary disease. Diagnosis:
Pectus excavatum.
A
B
association with chronic pleural disease; focal or multifocal diaphragmatic irregularities may
be produced. The patient’s history or analysis of fluid obtained from thoracocentesis is necessary
for differentiation of these lesions, because the radiographic appearance will be similar.
Sonographic evaluation from the abdominal side of the diaphragm may reveal an
abnormal shape to the diaphragm. This can be difficult to appreciate unless there is fluid