Front Vet Sci. 2026 May 25;13:1707807. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1707807. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: This pilot study aimed to compare sonographic findings at thoracic sites used to detect pneumothorax in canine cadavers.
METHODS: Intubated frozen-thawed cadavers without pre-existing sonographic evidence of pneumothorax were included. Control, unilateral and bilateral pneumothorax groups were created, with the latter induced by infusion of air (3 mL/kg) under ultrasound guidance. Four blinded sonographers (two experts and two novices) evaluated positive-pressure-ventilated (PPV) cadavers placed in sternal recumbency. Lung sliding and B-lines were assessed at the chest tube site (CTS) and caudo-dorsal border (CDB), while the abnormal abdominal curtain sign (AACS) was evaluated along the abdominal curtain sign (ACS). When absence of lung sliding was noted, operators searched for a lung-point (LP). Presence or absence of pneumothorax was recorded for the CTS, CDB, AACS, combined CTS + LP, and CDB + AACS + LP (Modified PLUS). Post-study right and left horizontal beam radiography was used as the reference standard to quantify pneumothorax volume by a board-certified radiologist. Results were analyzed by Fisher’s exact test with a statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS: Mild pneumothorax was present in 10/16 hemithoraces, scant pneumothorax in 3/16, and no pneumothorax in 3/16. Combined accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of all operators was 22% (9-40), 4% (0-20), 100% (54-100) for both CTS and CTS + LP; 53% (35-71), 42% (23-63), 100% (54-100) for CDB; 31% (16-50), 15% (4-35), 100% (54-100) for AACS; and 56% (38-74), 46% (27-67), 100%(54-100) for Modified PLUS, respectively. There was a significant difference in identification of pneumothorax between the CTS and CDB (p = 0.00027), and CTS and Modified PLUS (p = 0.0012) and between CTS + LP and Modified PLUS for all operator comparisons (p = 0.00012).
DISCUSSION: The site assessed (CDB vs. CTS) for lung sliding and the sonographic signs (AACS, lung sliding) evaluated with different POCUS protocols can influence the accuracy of diagnosing pneumothorax in PPV canine cadavers placed in sternal recumbency.
PMID:42267350 | PMC:PMC13244080 | DOI:10.3389/fvets.2026.1707807
