PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D J Brockman

Publications and source records attributed to D J Brockman.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Unusual vascular ring anomaly associated with a persistent right aortic arch in two dogs.

An unusual vascular ring anomaly consisting of a persistent right aortic arch and a left ligamentum arteriosum extending from the main pulmonary artery to an aberrant left subclavian artery and left aortic arch remnant complex was identified in a German shepherd dog and a great Dane. The left subclavian artery and left aortic arch remnant complex originated at the junction between the right distal aortic arch and the descending aorta and coursed dorsal to the oesophagus in a cranial direction. The attachment of the ligamentum arteriosum to the aberrant left subclavian artery was approximately 5 cm cranial to the point of origin of the aberrant left subclavian artery and left aortic arch remnant complex from the descending aorta in both dogs. This anomaly observed in both dogs is similar to an anomaly reported in humans, in which a persistent right aortic arch is found in conjunction with an aberrant left subclavian artery and a left aortic arch remnant (Kommerell's diverticulum). Surgical ligation and division of the left ligamentum arteriosum in both dogs, along with division of the left subclavian artery in the great Dane, resulted in resolution of clinical signs in both of the dogs in this report.

Animals↗

Localised mid-jejunal volvulus following intussusception and enteroplication in a dog.

Ileocolic intussusception was successfully treated surgically by partial enterectomy and enteroplication in an 11-month-old, male neutered German shepherd dog. Segmental intestinal volvulus was identified in the same dog two months later and was managed successfully by a second partial enterectomy. The dog made an uneventful recovery and was free of clinical disease six months after the second surgery. Both conditions are reviewed in this case report and a possible relationship between these two episodes in this dog is discussed.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Adrenal necrosis in a dog receiving trilostane for the treatment of hyperadrenocorticism.

Clinical and biochemical changes suggestive of hypoadrenocorticism were observed in a 10-year-old male neutered Staffordshire bull terrier shortly after beginning therapy with trilostane for the treatment of hyperadrenocorticism. The dog's condition was stabilised with intravenous fluids, fludrocortisone and prednisolone. An exploratory laparotomy and excisional biopsy of the left adrenal gland were performed. Histopathological analysis showed adrenal cortical necrosis with reactive inflammation and fibrosis. Trilostane is a reversible inhibitor of steroid synthesis and this complication has not been reported previously. Clinicians should be aware that trilostane therapy may result in adrenal necrosis but that prompt treatment might correct a life-threatening situation.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Body cavity lipomas in six dogs.

Histologically confirmed lipomas were surgically removed from the thoracic or abdominal cavities of six dogs. Three dogs had a large intra-abdominal mass causing severe abdominal distension. Two dogs had a mass extending into the pelvic canal, compressing the colon and causing obstipation. One dog with an intrathoracic mass had a history of coughing and intermittent cyanosis. All dogs had complete resolution of signs after surgical resection of the tumour. Recurrence occurred in one dog with an abdominal lipoma, two years after the initial surgery. This recurrent lipoma was treated successfully by surgical resection.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Survival times of and prognostic indicators for dogs with heart base masses: 25 cases (1986-1999).

OBJECTIVE: To determine survival times of and prognostic indicators for dogs with heart base masses. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 25 dogs. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed to obtain information regarding signalment; initial complaint; results of physical examination, radiography, electrocardiography, and echocardiography; surgical findings; medical and surgical treatment; outcome; necropsy findings; survival time; and cause of death. RESULTS: Survival time ranged from 0 to 1,096 days (mean, 213 days; median, 57 days). None of the variables examined, including initial complaints and results of physical examination, radiography, electrocardiography, and echocardiography, were associated with survival time. However, dogs that underwent pericardectomy had a significantly longer mean survival time (mean +/- SD, 661 +/- 170 days) than did dogs that were treated medically (129 +/- 51 days). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that dogs with heart base masses that undergo pericardectomy may survive longer than those that receive medical treatment alone.

Animals↗

Lung lobe torsion in dogs: 22 cases (1981-1999).

OBJECTIVE: To identify breed disposition, postoperative complications, and outcome in dogs with lung lobe torsion. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 22 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURE: Information on signalment; history; clinical findings; results of clinicopathologic testing, diagnostic imaging, and pleural fluid analysis; surgical treatment; intra- and postoperative complications; histologic findings; and outcome were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: All 22 dogs had pleural effusion; dyspnea was the most common reason for examination. Fifteen dogs were large deep-chested breeds; 5 were toy breeds. Afghan Hounds were overrepresented, compared with the hospital population. One dog was euthanatized without treatment; the remaining dogs underwent exploratory thoracotomy and lung lobectomy. Eleven dogs recovered from surgery without complications, but 3 of these later died of thoracic disease. Four dogs survived to discharge but had clinically important complications within 2 months, including chylothorax, mediastinal mesothelioma, gastric dilatation, and a second lung lobe torsion. Six dogs died or were euthanatized within 2 weeks after surgery because of acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, septic shock, pneumothorax, or chylothorax. Chylothorax was diagnosed in 8 of the 22 dogs, including 4 Afghan Hounds. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that lung lobe torsion is rare in dogs and develops most frequently in large deep-chested dogs, particularly Afghan Hounds. Other predisposing causes were not identified, but an association with chylothorax was evident, especially in Afghan Hounds. Prognosis for dogs with lung lobe torsion was fair to guarded.

Animals↗

Gastrointestinal emergencies.

The animal with a surgical gastrointestinal emergency usually requires a rapid, thorough physical examination with concurrent resuscitation. As the diagnosis is being made, the animal must be made as stable as possible before undergoing general anesthesia. During surgery, there must be a critical evaluation of gastrointestinal viability and the use of precise technical skills to achieve the best outcome. Adept postoperative management, including careful monitoring and an index of suspicion for potential complications, is vital.

Animals↗

A practical approach to hemoperitoneum in the dog and cat.

Hemoperitoneum can occur in animals of any age and can result from many different disease processes. Neoplastic and traumatic conditions are the most common causes. Many of these patients present with hemodynamic instability but stabilize with rational intravenous fluid therapy and abdominal counterpressure. Surgical exploration of the abdomen is indicated in many situations. Surgical therapy is aimed at resection or control of the bleeding focus, removal of any devitalized tissue, and biopsy of additional sites of suspicion. Optimal treatment for all patients with hemoperitoneum frequently requires advanced critical care, anesthesia, and surgical techniques. Finally, the treatment outcome is variable and dependent on the underlying cause and its severity.

Animals↗

Use of propofol to manage seizure activity after surgical treatment of portosystemic shunts.

The anaesthetic agent propofol has anticonvulsant properties and has been used in the treatment of refractory status epilepticus in human medicine. This report describes the use of propofol in four cats and one dog with naturally occurring seizures following surgical attenuation of single extrahepatic portosystemic shunts. Two of the animals had seizures that were unresponsive to other anticonvulsants. Subanaesthetic doses of intravenous propofol (1.0 to 3.5 mg/kg boluses and 0.01 to 0.25 mg/kg/minute continuous rate infusions) were used to control the seizures in all animals. However, a good neurological outcome was achieved in only two of the five cases, which is similar to the situation in previous reports.

Animals↗

Unusual congenital portosystemic communication resulting from persistence of the extrahepatic umbilical vein.

An unusual congenital portosystemic shunt was identified in one dog and two cats with clinical signs and laboratory evidence of hepatic dysfunction. In all the animals, the abnormal vessel arose from the portal system between the left medial and quadrate liver lobes and travelled within the falciform fat, exiting the abdomen through the caudal ventral left diaphragm. The intrathoracic course of these vessels was not established. The anatomical location of this anomalous vessel may have hindered attempts at ultrasonographic identification since it was not visualised before surgery in any of the animals. In addition, while the anatomical location of the vessel may facilitate rapid identification and surgical attenuation, it could predispose the vessel to trauma during the coeliotomy approach. It is hypothesised that this form of portosystemic communication results from failure of a portion of the left umbilical vein to degenerate during embryogenesis. This is in contrast to other forms of congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt that are presumed to be developmental errors resulting in an abnormal communication between the embryonic vitelline and cardinal venous systems. The prognosis for animals with the vascular anomaly reported here is probably similar to that for animals with other forms of congenital portosystemic shunt.

Animals↗

Retrospective analysis of 19 cases of isolated torsion of the splenic pedicle in dogs.

Nineteen cases of isolated splenic torsion in the dog were reviewed retrospectively. Perioperative data were analysed in order to determine prognostic indicators of morbidity and mortality for animals with this disease. This Great Dane and German shepherd dog were found to be at increased risk for this condition. The historical features of splenic torsion were non-specific and included intermittent signs of gastrointestinal disease and abdominal discomfort. Mean duration of malaise was eight days, but 17 dogs were presented because of a rapid deterioration in their condition. Abdominal ultrasound findings assisted in the decision to perform surgery in all the dogs on which it was performed. Eighteen animals had splenic torsion confirmed at surgery and were treated by total splenectomy. All 18 surgically managed dogs survived. Analysis of pre- and postoperative data failed to reveal preoperative parameters that consistently predicted postoperative complications.

Animals↗

Canine gastric dilatation/volvulus syndrome in a veterinary critical care unit: 295 cases (1986-1992).

Two hundred ninety-five case records were included in an analysis of dogs treated by a standardized protocol for gastric dilatation/volvulus syndrome between 1986 and 1992. A breed predisposition was demonstrated for Great Danes, German Shepherd Dogs, large mixed-breed dogs, and Standard Poodles. One hundred and ninety-three dogs had gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) confirmed at surgery, 66 had simple gastric dilatation (GD), and 36 others had gastric dilatation but volvulus could not be proved or disproved (GD +/- V). Among dogs with GDV, the fatality rate was 15% (29/193). Twenty-six (13.5%) dogs with GDV underwent partial gastrectomy, and 8 (31%) died or were subsequently euthanatized. In comparing the group of dogs with GDV that survived to those that died, there were no statistical differences in the age of dog, time between onset of clinical signs and admission, time from admission to surgery, or duration of anesthesia. Cardiac arrhythmias were detected in 40% (78/193) of the dogs with GDV. There also was no statistical correlation between development of a cardiac arrhythmia and outcome in dogs with GDV. The causes of death in dogs with GDV were multiple and varied; presumed gastric necrosis was a common reason for intraoperative euthanasia (11 dogs). Among dogs with GD or GD +/- V, the fatality rate was 0.9% (1/102).

Animals↗

Analgesia in dogs after intercostal thoracotomy: a clinical trial comparing intravenous buprenorphine and interpleural bupivacaine.

We prospectively studied 26 dogs that presented for intercostal thoracotomy. Dogs were premedicated with oxymorphone, induced with diazepam and etomidate, and anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Preoperatively, animal patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group 1 (n = 13) received buprenorphine (10 microgram/kg intravenously [IV]) every 6 hours for 24 hours starting 10 minutes before tracheal extubation. Group 2 (n = 13) received 0.5% bupivacaine (1.5 mg/kg) administered interpleural (IP) by slow injection through a pediatric feeding tube fixed to the most dorsal aspect of the thoracotomy incision. Interpleural injections were administered with each dog placed in lateral recumbency with the incision positioned ventrally; IP injections were administered every 4 hours for 24 hours starting 10 minutes before tracheal extubation. All cases were monitored in the intensive care unit for 24 hours postoperatively. The analgesic efficacy of each regimen was evaluated using a pain scoring system that included a subjective pain score, heart rate, and respiratory rate. Arterial blood pressure, arterial blood gases, oxygen saturation, body temperature, and changes in the electrocardiogram or neurological status were also noted. Significant increases in mean heart rate, respiratory rate, and total pain score occurred after surgery in dogs in the buprenorphine group. In contrast, dogs in the bupivacaine group had no significant changes when compared with their preoperative values. Dogs in the bupivacaine group had significantly decreased total pain scores and better PaO2 and oxygen saturation values when compared with the dogs receiving buprenorphine. Hypoventilation did not occur in either group.

Analgesia↗

Omentum-enhanced reconstruction of chronic nonhealing wounds in cats: techniques and clinical use.

The greater omentum was used to aid in the reconstruction of nonhealing wounds in five cats. In each cat the cause of the nonhealing wound could not be determined. A vascular omental pedicle was created at laparotomy by dividing the dorsal leaf of the omentum at it pancreatic attachments (four cats) or by dividing the ventral leaf at its gastric attachments (one cat). The pedicle was then passed through either the ventral or lateral body wall into the nonhealing wound via a subcutaneous tunnel. The wounds were closed over the omentum after local tissue mobilization. All the wounds healed uneventfully and have remained healed with a mean follow-up period of 2.5 years. Complications included intestinal herniation through a ventral midline exit hole (one cat), presumed abdominal fat herniation through a ventral abdominal exit hole (one cat) and seroma formation (one cat). All of the complications were treated successfully. The omentum should be considered a useful adjunct in the treatment of nonhealing wounds in cats.

Animals↗

B-mode and Doppler ultrasound imaging of the spleen with canine splenic torsion: a retrospective evaluation.

The ultrasonographic appearance of splenic torsion has been described; the splenic parenchyma can be normal, hypoechoic or anechoic with interspersed linear echoes (coarse/"lacy" appearance). The ultrasonographic parenchymal appearance of 15 dogs in this report with splenic torsion varied: mottled hypoechoic regions (n=2), diffusely hypoechoic (n=11) and normal (n=2). Because splenic torsion causes vascular congestion due to splenic vein compression and eventual thrombosis, visible splenic vein intraluminal echogenicities compatible with thrombi were seen in 13 dogs using B-mode. Using spectral Doppler and color Doppler imaging of the splenic veins, no measurable flow velocities were detected in any of the 15 dogs. The varied B-mode ultrasonographic appearance of the splenic parenchyma with splenic torsion necessitates B-mode evaluation of the splenic veins for intraluminal echoes and spectral or color Doppler evaluation for absent velocity flow.

Animals↗

Lateral exploration of fistulas developing after total ear canal ablations: 10 cases (1989-1993).

A lateral approach was used successfully in seven of 10 dogs to resolve fistulas which developed after total ear canal ablations and bulla osteotomies. The approach facilitated identification and removal of horizontal ear canal remnants in four of the 10 cases. Facial nerve function was worsened temporarily by lateral exploration in two cases. Seven cases had no fistula recurrence during follow-up, which ranged from 12 to 72 months. Three cases each had fistula recurrence one-to-two months after fistula exploration.

Animals↗

The sartorius muscle flap in the cat: an anatomic study and two case reports.

The sartorius muscle in the cat is a broad, sheet-like muscle which covers the craniomedial aspect of the thigh. The major portion of the blood supply arises from the proximal pole of the muscle. A single sartorius muscle can be positioned over the abdomen in a transverse manner along the pubis, to cover the entire (i.e., left and right sides) caudal 30% of the abdomen. It also can be extended in a cranial-to-caudal fashion where it covers approximately 80% of the length and 75% of the width of the ipsilateral abdomen. The sartorius muscle flap is easy to harvest and provides good coverage for defects of the caudal abdominal wall. This muscle flap was used successfully in two feline patients.

Animals↗