Imaging Skulls (Small Animal)

Question 1

Why radiograph the skull? (5)

Answer 1

1. Skull fractures, foreign bodies, or tumors.
2. Sinus cavity disease (infections or tumors).
3. Tympanic bullae disease (infections or tumors).
4. Tempo-mandibular joint (TMJ) pain.
5. Dental disease

Question 2

Name the parts of the skull
-Incisive -Temporal -Zygomatic -Nasal
-Mandible -Maxilla -Occipital -Parietal
-Tympanic bullae -Frontal -Palatine
-Temporal bone

Answer 2

Question 3

T/F: Precision is absolutely necessary with skull radiographs so patients must be anesthetized in order to get the views

Answer 3

True

Question 4

DV view
1. Positioning
2. Center
3. Collimate
4. Measure

Answer 4

1. Sternal
2. Midway between tip of the nose to base of skull to protuberance.
3. Zygomatic arches within view.
4. Widest point of cranium just caudal to orbit.

Question 5

T/F: Least helpful view for cats & brachycephalic dogs is DV view

Answer 5

False! This is the best view for them!

Question 6

What view is this?

Answer 6

DV

Question 7

VD view
1. Positioning
2. Collimate
3. Measure

Answer 7

1. Secure limbs caudally; Secure mandible with tape; Use foam pad & V-trough.
2. Tip of nose & zygomatic arches included.
3. Widest point of cranium

Question 8

What is this view?

Answer 8

VD

Question 9

Skyline view
1. Positioning
2. Center
3. Measure

Answer 9

1. Dorsal recumbency
   - Foam pads, sandbags, & V-trough.
   - Tape or gauze nose to maintain hard palate parallel to beam.
2. Between the eyes
3. Midpoint at the level of the eyes

Question 10

What view is this?

Answer 10

Skyline
Or Frontal 90-degree rostro-caudal sinuses (closed mouth)

Question 11

Rostro-caudal Foramen Magnum view “Keyhole”
1. Positioning
2. Closed mouth on… Open on…

Answer 11

1. Positioning
   - Dorsal recumbency
   - Foam pad or sandbag under neck
   - Forelimbs secured caudally
   - Tape nose caudally, mandible at 30-degrees close to chest.
2. Closed mouth on Cats & Brachycephalic. Open on Dolicocephalic & Mesaticephalic.

Question 12

What is this view?

Answer 12

Rostrocaudal Foramen Magnum
Or “Keyhole”

Question 13

VD Rostrocaudal Nasal Open Mouth Projection
1. Positioning (5)
2. Angle of tube head
3. Preferred view for…

Answer 13

1. Positioning
   - Dorsal recumbency
   - Patient in v-trough
   - Hard palate parallel to cassette
   - Tape across mandibular canines
   - Forelimbs secured caudally
2. Angle tube head 20-30-degrees to avoid mandible in view
3. Preferred for nasal sinus eval

Question 14

What is this view?

Answer 14

VD Rostrocaudal Nasal Open Mouth Projection

Question 15

Name these views

Answer 15

1. Open mouth VD nasal
2. Closed mouth VD skull