ENFISEMA SUBCUTÂNEO GENERALIZADO SECUNDÁRIO A PNEUMOMEDIASTINO EM FELINO NEONATO

Abstract

The pneumomediastinum is the presence of free air or gas in the mediastinal space. It occurs secondary to trauma that allows air to enter the mediastinum and into the subcutaneous tissue leading to generalized or localized subcutaneous emphysema.This paper describes a case of generalized subcutaneous emphysema secondary to a pneumomediastinum in a neonate cat attended at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Paraíba located in Areia-PB. A 10-day-old female feline, mixed breed (SRD), weighing 68 grams, had a history of sudden, widespread air in the subcutaneous tissue throughout the animal's body, observed every time it was fed. At the laboratory it was performed the air aspiration using syringe and needle. In order to reach the diagnosis a radiographic examination was performed in the following Latero-lateral, ventral dorsal and ventral dorsal projections. Radiographic findings identified subcutaneous radiolucency suggestive of generalized subcutaneous emphysema.Ventral displacement of the thoracic trachea, suggestive of pneumodiastinum. Increased radiolucency in the cranial mediastinum, suggestive of pneumodiastinum. Loss of definition of the cervical trachea, suggestive of rupture of the trachea. Due to the unfavorable clinical picture of the animal, euthanasia and necropsy were indicated. The macroscopic findings were tracheal perforation, resulted in the pneumomediastinum, and a thoracic laceration in the caudal region of the scapula resulting in pneumothorax and consequently in generalized subcutaneous emphysema. The histological evaluation observed was mild pulmonary emphysema. The treatment in this case was symptomatic with air puncture with the aid of syringes, but without success. Given these findings it is concluded that this cause although uncommon in newborns cats can occur and should be in the differential diagnosis of localized or generalized subcutaneous emphysema. In this case, it adds a new etiology, since the tracheal injury was caused by the mother during transport.