Canine Lung Lobe Torsion

Lung lobe torsion (LLT) occurs when a lung lobe rotates along its long axis, causing constriction of the bronchus and vessels at the hilus (Figure 1). This life-threatening disorder requires immediate surgical intervention.

Figure 1. Intraoperative image of a congested, torsed lung lobe. Affected lung tissue is often necrotic and friable. Courtesy of Dr. Karen Tobias, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.

Overview

LLT occurs spontaneously or secondary to a predisposing condition, such as chylothorax, pleural effusion, or chronic respiratory disease. LLT’s pathophysiology is poorly understood but may involve partial collapse of a lung lobe, either spontaneously or secondary to disease, that leads to altered spatial association and increased relative lung mobility.¹ Large, deep-chested dog breeds have a higher incidence of LLT than small-breed dogs; however, pugs may be predisposed.¹ Right middle and left cranial lung lobes are most commonly affected.^2,3 Median age is 3 years, although LLT has been reported in a 7-week-old pug.^3,4

Clinical Signs

Dogs present acutely or chronically. Clinical signs may include tachypnea, dyspnea, and coughing with or without hemoptysis. Dogs with concomitant pleural effusion may present in respiratory distress. Anorexia, weight loss, and vomiting are seen in chronic cases.

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Diagnosis

Thoracic radiographs (Figures 2–3) usually show pleural effusion and an opacified lung lobe. In acute cases, there may be an alveolar pattern in the affected lung lobe. A vesicular pattern (small, scattered gas bubbles) in the affected lung lobe; mediastinal shift; axial rotation of the carina; abnormal orientation of the bronchi in the affected lung lobe; and a curved, dorsally displaced trachea are common radiographic findings.^2,5

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Computed tomography (CT), thoracic ultrasound, and bronchoscopy may be helpful when thoracic radiographs are not diagnostic. CT images (Figure 4) show abruptly ending lobar bronchus of the affected lobe and noncontrast enhancing lung lobe enlargement in addition to pleural effusion and vesicular emphysema.^5,6 The torsed lung appears rounded, hypoechoic, and surrounded by pleural effusion on ultrasonography.⁵ Definitive diagnosis is made by direct inspection at surgery or necropsy.

Treatment

LLT treatment involves surgical resection of the affected lobe. Medical management before surgery is aimed at stabilization  (eg, supplemental oxygen, analgesia, thoracocentesis [if pleural effusion is present]) and treatment for underlying conditions (eg, antibiotics for pneumonia).

Related Article: Detection & Treatment of Pneumothorax 

In surgery, the torsed lobe is approached through a lateral intercostal thoracotomy, and is removed via a stapling device. If stapling equipment is not available, the pedicle of the affected lobe is clamped, the lobe is detorsed, and the vessels and bronchus are ligated with sutures. Thoracoscopy may also be used for surgical exploration and lung lobectomy.

Prognosis

Prognosis is generally good for patients with spontaneous LLT but can be poor for those that have LLT associated with other intrathoracic pathology, such as chylothorax.

LLT = lung lobe torsion

The authors would like to thank Silke Hecht, Dr. Med. Vet., DACVR, DECVDI, for her assistance with the manuscript.

CHRISTIAN LATIMER, DVM, is a small animal rotating intern at University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Center. His interests lie in small animal soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. Dr. Latimer received a BS in natural resources from Cornell University in 2010 and earned his DVM from Western University of Health Sciences in 2014.

ADESOLA ODUNAYO, DVM, MS, DACVECC, is clinical assistant professor at University of Tennessee. Her interests include analgesia, transfusion medicine, and management of postoperative critical patients. Dr. Odunayo completed a residency in emergency and critical care at University of Missouri and earned her DVM from Oklahoma State University.