Work

Computed Tomography Findings of Migrating Grass Awn Leading to Esophageal Perforation and Carotid Artery Erosion in a Dog

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: A 4-year-old male intact Kerry Blue Terrier presented with lethargy, pyrexia, intermittent cough, and a large, firm right ventral cervical mass. Contrast-enhanced head and neck CT revealed a focally expansile, ill-defined, mixed-attenuation lesion with gas bubbles, suggestive of extensive cellulitis and abscessation, in close communication with the cervical esophagus, which appeared focally disrupted. The adjacent common carotid artery was also focally dilated and tortuous. Findings were suggestive of esophageal rupture and secondary carotid artery pseudoaneurysm, likely caused by a penetrating foreign body. Histopathology confirmed the imaging findings and revealed an intralesional grass awn. This paper describes a rare incidence of a migrating grass awn causing esophageal perforation and carotid artery pseudoaneurysm.

Source: Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound

DOI: 10.1111/vru.70155

Authors: Flavia Thaysa Vieira Freitag, Jennifer Marie Loewen, Gwo‐Yuan Yang, Yasmine Messiaen, Jasmine Yu Gu

Institution: University of Saskatchewan

Language: English

Topic: Foreign Body Medical Cases

Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,410