Abstract:
Complications related to extraluminal migration of ingested kebab (sosatie) sticks are
infrequently diagnosed in small animals. A total of 8 cases diagnosed with extragastric
migration of ingested kebab sticks were retrospectively evaluated. No significant breed or
sex predilection was found but there was a tendency for animals to present at a younger age
(less than 3 years). Clinical signs (of variable duration) were non-specific and included
haemoptysis, abdominal pain, regurgitation, subcutaneous abscessation and chronic draining
sinus tracts, making a clinical diagnosis difficult. Ultrasonography proved invaluable in
facilitating the diagnosis of kebab stick migration in 6 of the cases and computed tomography
unexpectedly identified a kebab stick that had migrated into the thorax in 1 patient. Survey
radiography was generally found to be insensitive in identifying the kebab sticks. The aim
of this article is to alert veterinarians to a clinical syndrome that may not be considered a
differential diagnosis in patients with non-specific inflammatory disease of the thorax,
abdomen or pelvic regions and to illustrate the usefulness of the various diagnostic imaging
modalities in facilitating a diagnosis of kebab stick ingestion and its possible secondary
complications.
