Radiographic evaluation of tracheal collapse in dogs by compressive technique

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to verify the applicability of the compressive radiographic technique (pressures of 5, 10, 15 and 20mmHg) in the diagnosis of tracheal collapse in small breed dogs, in lateral cervicothoracic radiography. Out of the 50 dogs evaluated, 25 presented tracheal collapse (TG group), 23 did not present tracheal collapse (CG) and two were excluded because they did not tolerate a pressure of 20 mmHg. The TG group presented a smaller internal diameter of the trachea in the region of the fourth cervical vertebra (D4) and at the entrance of the thorax (TDE) compared to the CG group, in all the radiographic projections performed, as well as within the TG group where the compressive technique differed from conventional. Furthermore, there was a correlation between the clinical sign of coughing during cervical collar use and the presence of radiographic tracheal collapse at a pressure of 20 mmHg. It was concluded that the compressive radiographic technique was feasible and efficient in confirming the diagnosis of tracheal collapse in dogs, especially in the pressure of 20 mmHg, where it was associated with clinical signs, and can be used in isolation or complementary to the conventional technique.摘要 本研究旨在验证加压放射摄影技术（compressive radiographic technique，施加5、10、15及20mmHg压力）在小型犬气管塌陷（tracheal collapse）诊断中的适用性，该技术应用于侧位颈胸部放射摄影场景。本次评估共纳入50只受试犬，其中25只确诊气管塌陷（TG组），23只未出现气管塌陷（CG组），另有2只因无法耐受20mmHg压力被排除出研究。相较于CG组，TG组在所有实施的放射摄影投照体位下，第四颈椎区域（D4）及胸腔入口处（TDE）的气管内径均更小；且在TG组内部，加压技术拍摄结果与常规拍摄结果亦存在显著差异。此外，使用颈圈时出现咳嗽这一临床症状，与20mmHg压力下放射摄影显示的气管塌陷存在显著相关性。本研究最终得出结论：加压放射摄影技术在确诊犬气管塌陷方面具备可行性与有效性，尤其在20mmHg压力条件下，该技术结果与临床症状存在关联，可单独使用或作为常规放射摄影技术的补充手段。