• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.469-472
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• 2015

A 10-year-old, castrated poodle dog presented with a cough for 2 weeks, and the cough initially developed since very young age. On radiographs, pneumothorax was noticed by characteristics of radiolucent area without pulmonary markings along the thoracic wall and diaphragm, retracted lung lobes from the thoracic wall and severely decreased volume of the left cranial lung lobe with disconnected bronchus. Computed tomography (CT) findings identified several pulmonary air-filled cysts and collapsed lung with abnormal shape and non-tapered end of bronchus, bronchioles at the accessory lobe and left cranial lobe. Also, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema were found. Imaging diagnosis was the spontaneous pneumothorax caused by ruptured emphysematous bullae associated with congenital bronchial cartilage abnormality or bronchial tree malformation. On surgery, hypoplasia of the left cranial lobe, right middle lobe, and accessory lobe with a bulla where air was leaking was identified. The accessory lobe was partially resected and bronchial cartilage hypoplasia was confirmed by histopathologic examination.