Peritoneum Flashcards
Peritoneum
thin serous membrane
divided into parietal, visceral, connecting layers which are all continuous
Parietal peritoneal layer
separates extra-peritoneal and intra-peritoneal spaces
Visceral peritoneal layer
covers the abdominal organs
Retroperitoneal space
Space between the dorsal margin of the parietal peritoneum and the abdominal body wall
What is contained in the Retroperitoneal space
kidneys
Adrenal glands
major blood vessels
lymph nodes
Why is the Peritoneal space important?
FAT
different opacity between the viscera
Loss of Serosal Detail
Increased amount of fluid within the peritoneal cavity cause a loss or a diminishing of the ability to discern fat from viscera margins
What causes Loss of Serosal Detail?
Peritoneal effusion Peritonitis Lack of fat Brown fat Carcinomatosis Crowding
What is Peritoneal effusion?
Transudates Exudates Blood Urine Bile Chyle
What is the echogenicity of an Abdominal effusion?
Low cellular fluid like urine or transudate is anechoic
Higher cellular fluid like blood, exudate, chyle is more echoic
What is the sign of fluid collection or inflammation of the Retroperitoneum?
Loss of detail in the space
What two fluids cause loss of detail in the retroperitoneal space?
Hemorrhage
Urine
Carcinomatosis
Seeding of neoplastic cells on serosal surfaces and in fat
Small foci grow and become larger nodules that incorporate surrounding tissue
What is a common carcinomatosis in the peritoneum?
Hemangiosarcoma
Normal Pancreas Ultrasound features?
Obscured by overlying bowel gas
triangular wedge of hyperechoic (liver) tissue
Adjacent to duodenum, caudal to stomach
Can see the pancreaticoduodenal vein with good resolution and proper conditions
What are the ultrasound features of Acute Pancreatitis?
Large pancrease hypoechoic irregular surrounding fat become hyperechoic As severity increased, fluid increases
How does focal pancreatitis appear on ultrasound?
Corrugated
What are the clinical signs of canine pancreatitis?
Appetite loss
vomiting
pain
What causes free abdominal gas?
Surgery
Ruptured hollow viscera
External penetrating wound
abscessation
What is Retroperitoneal gas often an extension of?
pneumomediastinum
What causes Retroperitoneal gas from pneumomediastinum?
penetrating wound
What view is Retroperitoneal gas from pneumomediastinum seen on?
Lateral Radiograph in dorsal portion of the abdomen
Can Pneumomediastinum cause Pneumothorax? Vice Versa?
Yes
Vice Versa - NO!
What is the common cause of Inguinal hernia?
Trauma
Bite Wound
If bowel is herniated what do you look for?
Obstruction due to Strangulation
What is the most commonly seen abdominal lymph node?
Medial iliac
What cause enlargement of the abdominal lymph nodes?
Lymphoma
Metastasis
Inflammation
What are the ultrasound features of normal abdominal lymph nodes?
uniform echogenicity similar to surrounding mesenteric fat
shape varies: flat or tubular
thin echoic capsule
What are the ultrasound features of enlarged abdominal lymph nodes?
Rounded hypoechoic
Where are the adrenal glands located?
craniomedial borders of kidneys
Are mineralized adrenal glands in the cat pathological?
No - Incidental
What is the cause of mineralized adrenal glands in dogs?
neoplasia
What is the modality of choice for the adrenal glands?
Ultrasound
What are the ultrasound features of normal adrenal glands?
Hypoechoic to surrounding fat
Hyperechoic thin capsule
Diameter of less than 7mm
Adrenomegaly
larger, plump, retain echogenicity with a diameter greater than 7mm
What are the differential diagnoses of adrenomegaly?
Nodular or diffuse Hyperplasia
Hypertrophy
Neoplasia
