Retroperitoneal disease

71 Retroperitoneal disease




INITIAL PRESENTATION


Lumbar pain, pyrexia, lethargy, anorexia and abdominal pain.



INTRODUCTION


The retroperitoneum is the potential space between the ventral fascia of the sublumbar muscles and the peritoneum. Its lateral extent borders the lumbar epaxial muscles. It communicates with the mediastinum and the pelvic space.


Non-absorbable suture material use during ovariohysterectomy, penetrating wounds, kidney, ureter, or urethral trauma or migrating grass awns may all cause retroperitonitis. A fluctuating abscess or firm swelling with or without a draining sinus in the dorsal lumbar region may occur concurrently or some time after development of spinal pain.


Migrating plant awns may cause an initial cough weeks or months before back pain commences.





Migration theories



1. Inhaled and migrates along the diaphragmatic crus to lodge in sublumbar muscles

2. Swallowed and passes through caudal duodenum to ascend in the mesoduodenum to the lumbar vertebrae

3. Penetrates the terminal oesophagus, passing through the crus of the diaphragm to rest ventral to the body of T13 or L1.

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Sep 3, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Retroperitoneal disease

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