Segmental Megaesophagus Secondary to Extraluminal Esophageal Stenosis Caused by Transitional Seventh Cervical Vertebra and Supernumerary Ribs in a Goat

Kari L Means; Kekauilani Zukeran-Kerr; Kayla Le; Seng Wai Yap; Kelsey Brown; Lorelei Clarke

doi:10.1111/vru.70009

Segmental Megaesophagus Secondary to Extraluminal Esophageal Stenosis Caused by Transitional Seventh Cervical Vertebra and Supernumerary Ribs in a Goat

Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2025 Jan;66(1):e70009. doi: 10.1111/vru.70009.

Authors

Kari L Means¹, Kekauilani Zukeran-Kerr¹, Kayla Le¹, Seng Wai Yap¹, Kelsey Brown², Lorelei Clarke²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
² Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

Abstract

A 4-year-old Nigerian Dwarf wether presented for chronic regurgitation and cervical swelling of three years duration. Physical examination revealed a large ventral cervical mass. The goat made repeated attempts to swallow and regurgitate, but the mass did not change significantly in size. Cervical radiographs revealed segmental esophageal dilation to the level of the thoracic inlet. CT revealed a transitional seventh cervical vertebra with fused right and left ribs, resulting in extramural esophageal compression and obstruction at the level of the thoracic inlet. This is the first report of a cervical rib causing megaesophagus in a goat.

Keywords: cervical rib; computed tomography.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Animals
Cervical Vertebrae* / diagnostic imaging
Esophageal Achalasia / diagnosis
Esophageal Achalasia / diagnostic imaging
Esophageal Achalasia / etiology
Esophageal Achalasia / veterinary
Female
Goat Diseases* / diagnostic imaging
Goat Diseases* / etiology
Goats*
Male
Ribs* / abnormalities
Ribs* / diagnostic imaging
Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary