Equine Renal Ultrasonography: Normal and Abnormal

Abstract

The kidneys of three clinically normal horses were evaluated ultrasonographically, utilizing a standardized approach. The normal renal architecture, including cortex, medulla, pyramids, renal sinus fat, collecting system, and intrarenal vessels, was evaluated. A horse with hematuria was examined in the same manner and a mass was found in the right renal pelvis. Ultrasonographic determinations were correlated with gross anatomy, clinical signs, and pathologic findings of a renal pelvic adenoma.

Doppler Ultrasonographic Estimation of Renal Resistive Index in Horse: Comparison Between Left and Right Kidneys

“…There are several papers describing the physiological transcutaneous [5,9,10], transrectal [11], or transabdominal [12] ultrasonographic appearance of equine kidneys; in few studies, color ultrasonography was used to assess renal hemodynamics. Standing on these studies, a decreased renal artery diastolic flow indicates a generalized increase in renal vascular resistance.…”

Validation of a Novel Translumbar Ultrasound Technique for Measuring Renal Dimensions in Horses

“…Normal reference ranges for ultrasonographic renal dimensions in Thoroughbred horses have been reported using the standard transabdominal approach . Previous studies have described approaches for optimal evaluation of adult and neonatal equine kidneys both transabdominally and transrectally . A variety of limitations to these methods have been reported.…”

“…Transrectal ultrasonography is limited to evaluation of the left kidney only, as the right kidney has a more cranial anatomical location . Transabdominal ultrasonography may be impeded by intestinal gas from the small and large colon that can interfere with visualization of both kidneys, occasionally requiring repeated examinations . Transabdominal imaging of the left kidney is affected by its increased depth, requiring lower frequency probes, resulting in reduced image quality…”

The use of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of abdominal tumours in the horse

“…The left and right kidneys can be scanned percutaneously. The left kidney can be imaged immediately below the level of the lumbar vertebrae in the 17th intercostal space and sublumbar fossa (Penninck et al 1986;Rantanen 1986b). In this site it lies medial to the spleen which i s used as an acoustic window.…”