Intracardiac Porcupine Quill Migration in a Dog: Multimodality Imaging Findings and Surgical Management

Porcupine quill injuries are common in dogs; however, intracardiac quill migration is rare. Considering the high rate of complications secondary to quill penetration and migration, veterinarians should be aware of risks associated with long-standing foreign bodies even when no clinical signs are evident. A dog was referred for three episodes of recurrent fever that resolved with antibiotic therapy. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a single linear hyperechoic structure traversing the interventricular septum from the heart base to the cardiac apex. A median sternotomy was performed, and a porcupine quill was removed under a direct ultrasound guide. The dog recovered uneventfully. Dogs without evidence of severe cardiac injury secondary to a single intracardiac quill may have a good prognosis.