DVSc, LA Surgery Resident Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Computed Tomography Evaluation of a 17-Day Old Holstein Friesian Male Calf with Large Pulmonary Bullae Caused by Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Treated with Complete Lobectomy of the Right Cranial and Caudal Lung Lobes. Merchan Munoz A1, Beaulieu A1, Haydock L1, Jaramillo Morales C2, Cantarelli C1, Jensen M1, Arroyo Castro L1, Dubois M1. 1University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, ON, Canada; 2University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA.
A 17-day-old Holstein Friesian male calf was evaluated for severe broncho-interstitial pneumonia secondary to bovine respiratory syncytial virus, that progressed to severe bronchopneumonia, interlobular emphysema, right emphysematous bullae formation, and pneumothorax. Serial radiographic studies showed the presence of bullae formation, which was confirmed on computed tomographic (CT) examination of the thorax. The right caudal lobe contained a very large, poorly delineated, thick-walled ovoid gas-filled structure (9.4 cm craniocaudally × 14 cm dorsoventrally × 11 cm lateromedially) that dissected the pulmonary lobulation. In the cranioventral aspect of the thoracic cavity, there was another round, thin-walled and gas-filled structure (5.2 cm craniocaudally × 5.9 cm dorsoventrally × 6.1 cm lateromedially). The pneumothorax was managed by placement of a chest drain tube and repeated air aspiration, along with intensive medical therapy. As a result of the lack of improvement with medical therapy and the size of the bullae, surgical treatment was pursued. A complete lobectomy of the cranial and caudal lobe of the right lung was performed via a lateral exploratory thoracotomy. The calf deteriorated postoperatively due to the primary respiratory disease and new bullae formation and was therefore euthanatized.