Small Animal Radiology and Ultrasound: A Diagnostic Atlas and Text

80 Small Animal Radiolo g y and Ultrasono graphy
Fig. 2-53 A 6-month-old male
mixed breed dog after thoracic
trauma. The animal was mildly dyspneic.
A, On the lateral thoracic
radiograph the diaphragm appeared
to be irregular (arrows). No other
abnormalities are noted. B, Carbon
dioxide was introduced into the
peritoneal cavity through a plastic
catheter, and a second lateral thoracic
radiograph was obtained. Gas
is present within the pleural space
separating the heart from the sternum.
This is indicative of communication
between the peritoneal and
pleural cavities due to a diaphragmatic
hernia. The diaphragmatic
tear was at the level of the diaphragmatic
irregularity. Diagnosis:
Diaphragmatic hernia with herniation
of a small portion of the liver.
A
B
Pericardial Diaphragmatic Hernia. Pericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PDH) usually causes
a pumpkin-shaped cardiac silhouette and is therefore one of the differential diagnostic
considerations in pets with generalized cardiac enlargement. 80,104-109 If gas-filled gastrointestinal
structures are within the pericardial sac, the diagnosis may be radiographically evident
(Fig. 2-56). The diaphragmatic defect in these animals is often small and not radiographically