Intermittent gastroesophageal intussusception in a kitten resolved with a percutaneous gastropexy

Abstract

Gastroesophageal intussusception is a rare pathology characterized by an acute or intermittent invagination of the stomach into the lumen caudal to the thoracic esophagus, the pathogenesis is not well understood, although it is likely multifactorial. The mortality is high, associated with a late diagnosis and a rapid deterioration. A 4-month-old male domestic shorthair kitten presented for evaluation of intermittent respiratory distress and abdominal discomfort with two weeks of evolution. Based on clinical history, clinical sings and imaging studies a diagnosis of intermittent gastroesophageal intussusception was established. The reduction of the intussusception was performed with endoscopy maneuvers and with medical and nutritional management for some days, but this failed and finally was reduced with a percutaneous gastropexy tube to prevent recurrence with a good long-term outcome. Gastroesophageal intussusception in cats is associated with megaesophagus or hiatal hernia, and should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with chronic vomiting, regurgitation or respiratory disease. Survey and contrasted thoracic radiographs can be used to identify gross anatomical abnormalities, but the definitive diagnosis should be made by esophagogastroscopy with the possibility of reducing the intussusception. The use of percutaneous gastropexy provides other possible option to conventional surgery for the management of this pathology in cats.