Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging in Domestic Animals : Fundamental Studies on Abdominal Organs and Fetuses

Abstract

The abdominal organs and the fetus of normal cows, horses, goats and dogs were investigated by the use of ultrasonotomography. 1) Liver & gall bladder: In cows and goats, the liver was imaged on the right side between the 8th and 12th intercostal spaces. Clear ultrasound images of the canine liver were obtained by subcostal scanning. In horses, however, only the parenchymal margin was visualized. In cows, goats and dogs, the parenchyma, portal vein, hepatic vein and gall bladder showed characteristic echo patterns, respectively, but the appearance of the bile ducts was obscure. 2) Spleen: In each animal, the ultrasound images of the spleen were obtained on the left side in the lower intercostal spaces; in horses and dogs, the same was obtained also in the flank. The spleen appeared as the characteristic low amplitude echo pattern. 3) Kidney: In cows and goats, each kidney was displayed on the right flank, and the right kidney was also observed in the 12th intercostal space. In horses and dogs, each kidney was visualized in the lower intercostal spaces and the flank. In all animals, echoes of the kidney were composed of a low amplitude echo pattern showing the renal cortex, an echo free pattern exhibiting the medulla and an echogenic pattern indicating the pelvis. 4) Fetus: The fetus and fetal organs of cows, goats and dogs were imaged by transcutaneous scanning in the lower abdomen or flank. Fetal movement and fetal heart contractions were detected by real time ultrasongtomography.