Computed Tomography Atlas of the Normal Cranial Canine Abdominal Vasculature Enhanced by Dual-phase Angiography

Abstract

This study was performed to provide a detailed atlas of the normal arterial and venous canine vasculature in the cranial abdomen by dual-phase computed tomographic angiography. Five adult beagles were positioned in dorsal recumbency on a multislice helical CT scanner. An unenhanced survey CT scan from the diaphragm to the pelvic inlet was performed. Bolus-tracking software was used for the dual-phase angiogram, and contrast medium was administered in a cephalic vein. The arterial phase was scanned from the mid-abdomen to the cranial aspect of the diaphragm; the portal phase was scanned a few seconds after the arterial phase in the opposite direction. The DICOM studies from all dogs were analysed. Representative images were selected and anatomic structures labelled. Maximum intensity projections and three-dimensional images were generated using software techniques. A detailed atlas of the venous and arterial vasculature of the cranial canine abdomen was created with the help of bolus-tracking dual-phase computed tomographic angiography (CTA). Practitioners can use this anatomic atlas with its detailed venous and arterial phase CT angiograms of the canine cranial abdomen to compare normal versus abnormal vascular anatomy.

Computed Tomography of the Prostate Gland in Healthy Intact Dogs and Dogs with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

“…Scientific publications focusing on describing specific computed tomographic features of diseases in dogs are currently emerging (Schwarz and Saunders ; Rycke et al. ).…”

“…Three‐dimensional reconstruction can define the anatomic relationship of an organ, which can help provide a 3D pre‐operative image that is useful for pre‐procedural planning (Rycke et al. ).…”

“…Moreover, PACS (the picture archive and communication system) software gives clinicians a set of tools to manipulate CT images and provides advanced functionality such as a three-dimensional reconstruction (Malinowski 2011). Three-dimensional reconstruction can define the anatomic relationship of an organ, which can help provide a 3D pre-operative image that is useful for pre-procedural planning (Rycke et al 2014).…”

“…(a) asymmetrical prostatomegaly; (b) prostatic cysts in pre-contrast images; (c) prostatic cysts in postcontrast images graphic anatomy of the dog is well-described in several atlases and articles. Scientific publications focusing on describing specific computed tomographic features of diseases in dogs are currently emergingRycke et al 2014).…”

Diagnostic imaging for the assessment of acquired abdominal vascular diseases in small animals: A pictorial review

“…Abdominal ultrasound has been for years the main tool in the evaluation of congenital and acquired abdominal vascular diseases in small animals, but the rapid spreading of multi‐detector computed tomography (MDCT) in veterinary medicine in the last decade allowed deeper understanding of abdominal vascular anatomy, anatomical vascular variants, and vascular diseases …”