SAEVA Congress 2018 Proceedings | 12-15 February 2018 | ATKV Goudini Spa
Lung abscess
Hyperechoic free gas echoes may be imaged mixed in with the exudate, suggesting
the presence of anaerobic organisms. The material within the abscess tends to be
layered with the heaviest, most echogenic debris located ventrally, followed by more
sonolucent fluid in the center, with the hyperechoic gas echoes in the most dorsal
portion of the abscess. The detection of a dorsal gas cap within the abscess is
indicative of a bronchial communication and probable anaerobic infection.
Pulmonary neoplasia/Granulomatous disease/Pulmonary fibrosis
The detection of small multifocal sonolucent to echogenic masses distributed randomly
throughout the lung is consistent with granulomatous disease, fungal pneumonia or
metastatic neoplasia and rarely, with primary pulmonary neoplasia or pulmonary
fibrosis associated with equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF). Although the
ultrasonographic findings in horses with fungal pneumonia appear similar on cursory
examination to those in horses with diffuse granulomatous disease, metastatic
neoplasia or pulmonary fibrosis, closer examination with high resolution transducers
usually reveals the persistence of airways and vessels in much of the affected lung
tissue. In contrast, the pulmonary architecture is usually disrupted in horses with
diffuse granulomatous disease, metastatic neoplasia or pulmonary fibrosis and is
replaced by granulomas, areas of neoplastic infiltration or infiltrating fibrous tissue,
respectively. The soft tissue masses associated with EMPF are usually small and
diffusely scattered throughout the lung field.
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