CT‐Soft Tissue Window of the Cranial Abdomen in Clinically Normal Dogs: An Anatomical description using Macroscopic Cross‐Sections with Vascular Injection

Abstract

The aim of this study was to provide a detailed anatomic atlas of the cranial abdomen by means of computed tomography (CT). Three mature dogs, all mixed breed males, were used. The dogs were sedated, anaesthetized and positioned in sternal recumbency. CT scans from the eighth thoracic vertebra to the fourth lumbar vertebra were performed using a third-generation equipment (TOSHIBA 600HQ scanner) with 1 cm slice thickness. CT-images of the cranial abdomen were taken with soft-tissue window (WL: -14, WW: 658) settings. Dogs were killed and vascular-injection technique was performed: red and blue latex filled the vascular system. Injected dogs were frozen in the same position as used for CT examination and sectioned with an electric bandsaw at 1-cm-thick intervals. The cuts matched as closely as possible to the CT-images. The anatomic sections were compared and studied with the corresponding CT-images, and clinically relevant abdominal anatomic structures were identified and labelled on the corresponding CT-images. The results of our study could be used as a reference for evaluating CT-images of the canine cranial abdomen with abdominal diseases.

Computed Tomography Determined Changes in Position of the Hepatobiliary and Gastrointestinal Systems after CO2 Insufflation to Determine Optimal Positioning for Abdominal Laparoscopy

“…Trendelenburg position has been recommended for ovariohysterectomy typically by elevating the pelvis 30° above the abdomen, so that the viscera moves away from the uterine body to improve surgical exposure of the reproductive tract . Computed tomography (CT) provides excellent abdominal detail because of spatial resolution and lack of superimposition . Surface detail of viscera should be enhanced by the presence of a negative contrast medium such as CO 2 in the peritoneal space.…”

Computed Tomography Determined Changes in Position of the Urogenital System After CO2 Insufflation to Determine Optimal Positioning for Abdominal Laparoscopy

“…Abdominal laparoscopy is facilitated by creation of pneumoperitoneum using CO 2 insufflation to a pressure of 10–14 mm Hg creating a working space for the surgeon. Computed tomography (CT) provides an accurate depiction of the abdominal anatomy of the dog …”

“…This assumes CT post‐insufflation (PoI) anatomy is an accurate depiction of expected laparoscopic anatomy after insufflation. This is a fair assumption as CT anatomy has been shown to accurately depict normal anatomy …”

“…Computed tomography (CT) provides an accurate depiction of the abdominal anatomy of the dog. 3 Laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy is less painful than conventional ovariohysterectomy via celiotomy 1,2 because it avoids stretching and disrupting of the suspensory ligament. [4][5][6][7] The common positioning for a laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy is ventrodorsal routine (VDR) position allowing for use of either a 3, 2, or 1 portal technique.…”

“…This is a fair assumption as CT anatomy has been shown to accurately depict normal anatomy. 3 Our purpose is to provide an atlas of postinsufflation CT images to accurately depict the expected anatomy encountered during laparoscopy. The findings should provide a rationale for body position selection for optimal organ exposure.…”