Abdominal Radiographs

Question 1

Name 4 ways increased abodominal fat changes a radiograph?

Answer 1

1. Fat surrounding organs increases. Hence, there is increased visibility of structures.
2. Falciform fat increases in size.
3. Retropertitoneal space is larger.
4. Pendulous abdominal wall, ventrally.

Question 2

Why is it easier to see abdominal organs in the dog and cat than the adult horse?

Answer 2

Horses have a thicker abdomen and relatively reduced amount of peritoneal fat.

Question 3

What should be seen in the Retroperitoneal Cavity?

Answer 3

Kidneys, muscle, fascia.

Question 4

How do you evaluate patient positioning?

ie Is this radiograph appropriate and why?

Answer 4

1. Diaphragm she be included cranially (not in this one)
2. Pelvic inlet included caudally.
3. Not rotated:

• Spine central
• Symmetrical
• Spinous processes shape and position central
• Pelvis symmetrical

4. Adequate exposure and medium contrast.

Question 5

What isn’t seen in the peritoneal cavity?

Answer 5

Pancreas, lymph nodes, mesentery.

Question 6

Why is there a difference in serosal detail between the two radiographs?

Answer 6

Poor serosal detail in animals that are:

• immature
• thin

Good serosal detail is shown in normal body conditions.

Fat gives:

1. Contrast
2. Organ visibility
3. Sharp serosal margins to structures.

Question 7

Name 3 ways the VD differs between dogs and cats?

Answer 7

1. VD - stomach is J-shaped, and the pylorus is midline.
2. VD - kidneys are almost parallel (right kidney more caudal and easier to see
3. VD - still have the triad of: fundus, head of spleen and left kidney.

Question 8

Name 2 things to watch out for in fat cats and how to check them.

Answer 8

Lateral - the liver can look small due to lots of fat being ventral to the liver in the falciform ligament.

• use the stomach axis for liver size.

VD - all the intestines may be on one side.

• see if there is a mass displacing the intestines; you will see it if there is one!

Question 9

What is the difference between dog and cat radiographs overall and lateral rad?

Answer 9

See more in cats coz they have more fat.

Lateral - tail of spleen shouldn’t be seen.

Question 10

Name 4 changes in this radiograph and give some possible ddx for normal and abnormal changes.

i.e. poor serosal detail.

Answer 10

Increased soft tissue opacity.

Loss of fat outline.

Decreased serosal detail.

Focal, regional, diffuse.

Ddx: Normal (young or thin animal) or Abnormal (free fluid, inflammation fat, infiltrative disease, masses)

Question 11

Name 4 radiographic signs.

Answer 11

Increases or decreases in serosal detail.

Increases or decreases in opacity.

Focal or diffuse.

Regions affected.

Question 12

Is this a left or right abdo radiograph and why?

Answer 12

Right.

Fluid in pylorus

Gas in fundus

Gas descending colon and left transverse colon

Question 13

What is seen in the peritoneal cavity?

Answer 13

Liver, spleen, bladder, G.I.T.

Question 14

Is this a left or right abdo radiograph and why?

Answer 14

Left.

Gas in pylorus

Gas and fluid in fundus

Gas ascending colon / caecum and right transverse colon

Question 15

What shouldn’t be seen in the Retroperitoneal Cavity?

Answer 15

Major vessels (aorta, CVC), lymph nodes, ureters, adrenals

Question 16

List 2 ddx for the destruction of bone cortex seen below.

Answer 16

1. Osteosarcoma
2. Bone infection

Question 17

Define Summation

Answer 17

Two objects of the same opacity that are not contacting each other. The outline of the individual structures is retained. As they are not contacting each other they do not merge together.

Question 18

Define Border Effacement

Answer 18

Structures of the same opacity are touching each other. This results in loss of individual margins and the structures merge and appear as one.

E.g. diaphragm and liver, bladder and urine

Ascites masking the liver margins