Presumed Pulmonary Pneumo-Hematoceles Following Partial Lung Lobectomy in a Miniature Poodle

An 11-year-old, 6.48 kg, neutered male Miniature Poodle presented with mild coughing 30 days after partial right caudal lung lobectomy for stage I papillary pulmonary carcinoma.Physical examination was unremarkable, and coagulation profiles were within reference ranges.However, mild reticulocytosis was noted on complete blood count.Thoracic radiography revealed increased opacity in the right cranial lung lobe and a cavitary lesion with air-fluid level in the left cranial lung lobe.Thoracic ultrasonography revealed anechoic fluid collection confined to both cranial lung lobes.Ultrasound-guided aspiration of the fluid confirmed hemorrhagic fluid without cytological evidence of infection or malignancy.Computed tomography (CT) identified two cavitary lesions containing air and fluid: one 4-5 cm in the cranial aspect of the right hemithorax and the other approximately 6 cm in the left hemithorax.Both lesions contacted the thoracic wall.Based on imaging and fluid analysis, the differential diagnoses included pulmonary pneumo-hematocele (PPH) and hemorrhagic pulmonary bulla.The dog was managed conservatively.Serial radiographs showed gradual lesion reduction without respiratory abnormalities or recurrence over six months.To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case in which a lesion presumed to be PPH developed following partial lung lobectomy.Pulmonary pneumo-hematoceles should be considered among the differential diagnoses when large air-containing cavitary pulmonary lesions are identified after partial lung lobectomy.