Imaging techniques in Veterinary Medicine. Part I: Radiography and Ultrasonography

Abstract

In Veterinary Medicine all the Imaging techniques are used and described but, due to organizational, managerial and, mostly, economical reasons, Radiography and Ultrasonography are the most used.Veterinary Radiology teaching has a relatively small number of educational credits in the degree courses but, nowday, educational opportunities are remarkably increased thanks to a number of post-degree courses and masters, organized both by the universities and private veterinary associations. The relevance of Diagnostic Imaging is particularly true in Veterinary Medicine, in which Radiology could be considered "indispensable" for diagnosis, prognosis and follow up. Furthermore, it should not be forgotten that the diagnostic image represents a "document" and, has a relevant role in legal medical debats.In this first part, Radiography and Ultrasonography are described.

Methods of Radiographic Measurements of Heart and Left Atrial Size in Dogs with and without Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease: Intra- and Interobserver Agreement and Practicability of Different Methods

“…Assessing thoracic radiographs is of enormous diagnostic value in veterinary radiology and widespread use [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Apart from evaluating the lung field and the pulmonary vessels, information about the overall cardiac size and individual cardiac compartments can be obtained [ 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

“…Assessing thoracic radiographs is of enormous diagnostic value in veterinary radiology and widespread use [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Apart from evaluating the lung field and the pulmonary vessels, information about the overall cardiac size and individual cardiac compartments can be obtained [ 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Especially the assessment of left atrial (LA) size is critical in many cardiac diseases like Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease (MMVD), which is the most common cardiac disease in dogs [ 3 , 12 ].…”

Improving noise characteristics using a modified image pyramid with guided filtering and Bayesian shrinkage threshold in low-dose animal radiography

“…Radiography is commonly used in animal practice to provide clinical information without discomfort and pain [1]. Recently, the market for animal radiography is rapidly growing owing to the increasing awareness of the welfare of companion animals and the expansion of animal clinics.…”

Results of routine thoracic radiographic examinations rarely impact the plan to proceed with anesthetic procedures in dogs with presumed acute intervertebral disc herniation

“…Exposure to ionizing radiation presents a risk to patients and healthcare workers, especially due to its cumulative effect, prompting the recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control to minimize radiation exposure through the “as low as reasonably achievable” (ALARA) principle ( 10–12 ). Additionally, in veterinary medicine either chemical restraint (risk to patients) or manual restraint (risk to patients and healthcare workers) must be used during radiographic positioning for diagnostic images ( 12 , 13 ). These healthcare risks and the financial costs associated with radiography indicate that radiography as a screening tool should be reassessed.…”

“…However, while radiography is a useful diagnostic tool, it carries additional financial and safety costs for clients, patients, and healthcare workers, and due to IVDH’s emergent status, it is unclear if diagnostic findings on the thoracic radiographic examinations would impact treatment recommendations ( 12 , 13 ). The objective of this study was to assess the clinical benefit of performing routine thoracic radiographic examinations prior to advanced spinal imaging and subsequent spinal decompression surgery for dogs with acute T3-L3 myelopathy.…”