• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.19-21
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• 2018

A 7-year-old female American cocker spaniel presented with chronic regurgitation and megaesophagus on radiography at a local hospital. Dry and coarse hair coat, tail alopecia, and bradycardia were observed during physical examination. Mild, non-regenerative anemia was indicated by complete blood count (CBC) analysis. Concurrent hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglycemia were indicated by biochemistry tests. Decreased levels of total and free thyroxine (T4) and increased canine thyroid stimulating hormone (cTSH) levels were also detected. Megaesophagus was confirmed by radiographic examination. Based on the results, a diagnosis of hypothyroidism with megaesophagus was made. The patient was initially treated with levothyroxine sodium at a dosage of 0.02 mg/kg twice a day. After two weeks of treatment for hypothyroidism, the dilated esophagus returned to its original size and no further regurgitation was observed. No relapse was observed during two months of follow-up.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.107-111
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• 2012

Three dogs (An 8 years-old intact female Poodle, a 7 years-old intact male Schunauzer, and an 8 yearsold Golden Retriever) were presented due to acute vomiting, dyspnea, and generalized weakness. Megaesophagus was confirmed through radiographic examination in all 3 dogs. Relative oesophageal diameter (ROD) was measured and results of ROD measurements showed the possibility of megaesophagus secondary to myasthenia gravis in three dogs. Thus we performed anticholinesterase test as screening test for myasthenia gravis. In all three dogs, esophageal diameter was reduced after neostigmine methylsulfate administration. For definite diagnosis of acquired myasthenia gravis, serum acetylcholine receptor antibody titer was measured, but definite diagnosis was confirmed only in one case. However, based on history, radiographic findings, anticholinesterase test, ROD measurement, other two cases were still suspected as megaesophagus secondary to myasthenia gravis. Treatment with pyridostigmine bromide was initiated in all dogs, and improvement of esophageal diameter was shown in all dogs. One dog was successfully managed for 15 months after initial treatment and, is still alive, but other two dogs were died shortly after initial treatment, because of severe aspiration pneumonia.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics Conference
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• 2009.10a
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• pp.207-207
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• 2009

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.269-272
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• 2001

Fourteen dogs referred to veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Seoul National University were diagnosed as esophageal foreign body (9 cases), megaesophagus (4 cases) and esophageal stricture (1 case). Patients showed a variety of clinical signs including regurgitation, vomiting, anorexia, hypersalivation, and retching. Survey radiographic examination included the entire esophagus, including the caudal pharynx and cranial abdomen. contrast radiographs were done to identify lesions or to characterize abnormal radiographic findings on survey films. In case static contrast studies were not sufficient were not sufficient to differentiate the diseases, dynamic fluoroscopic studies were performed. In thoracic megaesophagus, when gas filled, it provided several hallmark findings such as visualization of paired longus colli muscle and tracheal stripe sign. When gas-distended, the caudal thoracic esophagus was seen as a pair of thin, soft-tissue stripes that converged into a point overlying the diaphragm and cranial abdomen. All cases of megaesophagus could be solely identified by survey radiographs. In esophageal foreign body, 6 cases out of 9 patients had the history of having foreign body and others not. Most of esophageal foreign body could be diagnosed on survey radiographs and one case with radiolucent foreign body was confirmed by esophagram. It appeared as radiopaque material along the path of esophagus and the radiopacity was determined by its nature. Obstruction caused by foreign body eventually led to dilation of the esophageal lumen cranial to the site in 3 cases. In esophageal stricture, there was no remarkable findings on survey radiograph of the thorax. However, esophagography with barium sulfate showed the narrowing of the esophagus near hiatus. On fluoroscopy, swallowed barium was stagnated cranial to the site despite the esophageal peristalsis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.371-374
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• 2006

A 4-month-old, intact male, Tosa with a history of a regurgitation, vomiting, and weight loss for three weeks was presented to Animal Medical Center, Chonbuk National University. In Serial plain radiographs, a severely distended stomach was seen and ultrasonogram revealed a nonfunctional pylorus with normal layer comparable with an obstruction of pyloric region by pyloric achalasia. An esophagram and endoscopy revealed normal peristalsis with failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to open, supporting the diagnosis of esophageal achalasia. Megaesophagus was observed on reradiograph and esophagram 11 days later. The clinical signs and esophageal dilation were resolved without resorting to any treatment.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.59-62
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• 2014

A 12-year-old, castrated male Yorkshire terrier dog presented with frequent regurgitations that had begun 45 days earlier and become more progressive. Radiographs revealed an air-trap region behind the cranial esophageal sphincter muscle in the esophagus and esophagographies with barium contrast showed mild esophageal dilation with decreased motility. Esophageal motility increased within 5 min of neostigmine methylsulfate administration and acetylcholine receptor antibodies titer increased to beyond the normal range. Based on these findings, acquired myasthenia gravis with focal form was diagnosed, making this the first such case diagnosed by an acetylcholine receptor antibody test in Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.465-468
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• 2006

A 3-year-old, spayed female Shih-tzu dog was presented due to acute vomiting, diarrhea, and generalized weakness. The dog had generalized weakness, increased respiratory rate, and respiratory muscle effect. Neurologic examination revealed appendicular muscular weakness and decreased in tone of the anal sphincter. Megaesophagus was confirmed by radiographic examinations. Other than type 2 fiber atrophy, no specific abnormalities were identified in histopathologic examinations of muscle biopsies from the left pelvic limb. Serum acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody titer was increased (0.78 nmol/L reference range, less than 0.6 nmol/L), confirming a diagnosis of acute fulminating myasthenia gravis. The dog dramatically responded to pyridostigmine bromide and had marked improvement in muscle strength, megaesophagus, and respiratory function. The dog has been successfully managed for 7 months after initial treatment.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.114-118
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• 2018

A 3-month-old intact male Lakeland terrier was presented with recurring regurgitation after removing cervical esophageal foreign body by endoscopy. Blood and urine analysis, radiography, ultrasonography, fluoroscopic esophagography, computed tomographic angiography (CTA) were performed. In radiography and fluoroscopic esophagography, vascular ring anomaly was considered as the primary cause of megaesophagus, and CTA with gas-inflation of the esophagus was performed. Compressed esophagus, persistent right aortic arch (PRAA), aberrant left subclavian artery (LSA), and a venous structure which was confirmed in surgery to be incomplete type persistent left cranial vena cava (PLCVC) connected with the left side azygos vein were observed. Left deviation of the trachea was also revealed in CT, which implies the compression by left ligamentum arteriosum. Therefore, type 3 PRAA with left ligamentum arteriosum and aberrant LSA, was considered as a prior differential diagnosis. Surgical repair was performed and the clinical signs improved. This report describes CTA characteristics of combination of PRAA with aberrant LSA, incomplete PLCVC and Lt. azygos vein in a dog. Although not every vascular anomaly does induce clinical sign, some types can complicate the surgical procedure, and cause clinical signs. Therefore, thorough evaluation of vascular anomalies in the thorax is important, and CTA is a useful method in identifying multiple vascular anomalies in dogs.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.68-72
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• 2023

A 10-year-old castrated male Domestic Shorthair cat visited a veterinary medical teaching hospital for emergency dyspnea. The cat was hypoxic and hypotensive, and stridorous respiration was remarkable. Visual inspection confirmed laryngeal paralysis and a lack of mobility of the left larynx. Megaesophagus, aspiration pneumonia, cranial mediastinal mass, and positive Tensilon test results using neostigmine were observed, indicating acquired myasthenia gravis secondary to thymic neoplasia. After 10 minutes of neostigmine 0.02 mg/kg IV administration, laryngeal paralysis and dyspnea resolved. Histopathlogical examination for the cranial mediastinal mass after surgical resection confirmed malignant thymoma. Here, we report a case of acquired myasthenia gravis in a cat with a malignant thymoma that presented with life-threatening dyspnea due to laryngeal paralysis. Feline laryngeal paralysis is uncommon, and myasthenia gravis, a cause of laryngeal paralysis in cats, has not yet been reported. Myasthenia gravis should be considered in cats with laryngeal paralysis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.281-283
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• 2005

A 3-month-old male, Cocker Spaniel with persistent regurgitation immediately after weaning and stunted growth was referred. Radiographic findings on the lateral view include ventral deviation of the thoracic trachea caused by draping of the dilated esophagus and a distinct interface of the dorsal wall of the esophagus silhouetting with the cranial thoracic hypaxial muscles. On the ventrodorsal view, the cranial mediastinum was widened with soft tissue opacity. The trachea was deviated to the right. In an esophagogram, the segmental dilation of the esophagus with constriction of the lumen just cranial to the heart base was identified. In a fluoroscopic examination, the contrast medium was massively accumulated in the cranial portion of the constricted esophagus. At surgery, it was confirmed that the esophageal tract was constricted at the cranial to the base of the heart by aberrant right subclavian artery. It was ligated and divided surgically. Current state of the referred is maintained normal condition from the surgical repair.