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Healy et al: Significance of incidentally identified bullae and blebs on thoracic computed tomography and prevalence of subsequent pneumothorax in dogs
Veterinary Surgery 1, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

Population: 2,178 canine CTs reviewed retrospectively.
Prevalence: Incidental PBBs found in 1.37% (30/2178).
Outcome: None of the dogs with incidental PBBs developed clinical spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) over a median follow-up of 1255 days.
Significant Associations:

  • Age: Dogs with PBBs were significantly older (median 10.5 yrs vs. 8.2 yrs, p = .001).
  • CT indication: PBBs more likely during neoplastic staging (p = .006).

PBB Characteristics:

  • Total = 60 PBBs (median 1/dog; range 1–7).
  • Location: 35% in left caudal, 31.6% right caudal, only 13.3% in right cranial lobe.
  • Size-based: 25 bullae (>10 mm), 35 blebs (≤10 mm).

Conclusion: Prophylactic resection of incidental PBBs not justified given no observed SP risk in this population.

Significance of incidentally identified bullae and blebs on thoracic computed tomography and prevalence of subsequent pneumothorax in dogs
Significance of incidentally identified bullae and blebs on thoracic computed tomography and prevalence of subsequent pneumothorax in dogs
Significance of incidentally identified bullae and blebs on thoracic computed tomography and prevalence of subsequent pneumothorax in dogs
Significance of incidentally identified bullae and blebs on thoracic computed tomography and prevalence of subsequent pneumothorax in dogs
Significance of incidentally identified bullae and blebs on thoracic computed tomography and prevalence of subsequent pneumothorax in dogs
Significance of incidentally identified bullae and blebs on thoracic computed tomography and prevalence of subsequent pneumothorax in dogs
Significance of incidentally identified bullae and blebs on thoracic computed tomography and prevalence of subsequent pneumothorax in dogs
Significance of incidentally identified bullae and blebs on thoracic computed tomography and prevalence of subsequent pneumothorax in dogs
Significance of incidentally identified bullae and blebs on thoracic computed tomography and prevalence of subsequent pneumothorax in dogs
Significance of incidentally identified bullae and blebs on thoracic computed tomography and prevalence of subsequent pneumothorax in dogs
Significance of incidentally identified bullae and blebs on thoracic computed tomography and prevalence of subsequent pneumothorax in dogs
Significance of incidentally identified bullae and blebs on thoracic computed tomography and prevalence of subsequent pneumothorax in dogs

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← Articles

Healy et al: Significance of incidentally identified bullae and blebs on thoracic computed tomography and prevalence of subsequent pneumothorax in dogs
Veterinary Surgery 1, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

Population: 2,178 canine CTs reviewed retrospectively.
Prevalence: Incidental PBBs found in 1.37% (30/2178).
Outcome: None of the dogs with incidental PBBs developed clinical spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) over a median follow-up of 1255 days.
Significant Associations:

  • Age: Dogs with PBBs were significantly older (median 10.5 yrs vs. 8.2 yrs, p = .001).
  • CT indication: PBBs more likely during neoplastic staging (p = .006).

PBB Characteristics:

  • Total = 60 PBBs (median 1/dog; range 1–7).
  • Location: 35% in left caudal, 31.6% right caudal, only 13.3% in right cranial lobe.
  • Size-based: 25 bullae (>10 mm), 35 blebs (≤10 mm).

Conclusion: Prophylactic resection of incidental PBBs not justified given no observed SP risk in this population.

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Healy 2025 et al., on incidental PBBs, what recommendation is made regarding prophylactic lung resection?

A. Advised in all cases
B. Only for dogs under anesthesia
C. Advised for large bullae
D. Not justified based on study data
E. Required for blebs >5mm

Answer: Not justified based on study data

Explanation: With no SP observed, authors do not recommend prophylactic lung removal for incidental PBBs.
In Healy 2025 et al., on incidental PBBs, what was the prevalence of PBBs in the studied dog population?

A. 0.5%
B. 1.37%
C. 3.6%
D. 5.1%
E. 10.2%

Answer: 1.37%

Explanation: 30 of 2178 canine CTs had incidental PBBs, a prevalence of 1.37%.
In Healy 2025 et al., on incidental PBBs, what was the observed rate of spontaneous pneumothorax in dogs during follow-up?

A. 20%
B. 10%
C. 3.3%
D. 0%
E. 1.3%

Answer: 0%

Explanation: None of the 30 dogs with incidental PBBs developed clinical SP during a median 1255-day follow-up.
In Healy 2025 et al., on incidental PBBs, which lung lobe was most frequently affected?

A. Left cranial lobe
B. Right cranial lobe
C. Left caudal lobe
D. Accessory lobe
E. Right middle lobe

Answer: Left caudal lobe

Explanation: 35% of the PBBs were located in the left caudal lung lobe.
In Healy 2025 et al., on incidental PBBs, which CT finding was significantly associated with presence of PBBs?

A. Pleural effusion
B. Concurrent pulmonary fibrosis
C. Increased age
D. Right cranial lobe lesions
E. Females only

Answer: Increased age

Explanation: Median age was 10.5 years for dogs with PBBs vs. 8.2 years without; p = .001.

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