Ultrasonographic examination of the spleen in 30 goats

Abstract

The ultrasonographic appearance, location and size of the spleen in 30 healthy female Saanen goats are described. The intercostal spaces of the left thoracic wall were scanned with a 5.0 MHz linear transducer in standing goats. The appearance of the splenic parenchyma, the position of the ultrasonographically visible dorsal and ventral margins of the spleen and the distance between them, the thickness of the spleen and the diameter of the splenic vessels were determined. The spleen could be visualised in at least one examination position and it always lay between the rumen and abdominal wall. The spleen bordered the lung dorsally and was located adjacent to the left abdominal wall in the last intercostal space and area immediately caudal to the last rib. The spleen had an echogenic capsule, and its parenchyma showed a homogenous fine echotexture / echo pattern throughout the whole visible part of the spleen. The splenic vessels were seen within the parenchyma. The visible dorsal margin of the spleen ran from cranioventral to caudodorsal. The distance from the dorsal margin of the spleen to the midline of the back was greatest in the 8th intercostal space (19.7 ± 4.19 cm) and smallest in the region immediately caudal to the last rib (7.0 ± 1.07 cm). The size of the spleen was smallest in the 8th intercostal space (3.1 ± 1.24 cm) and greatest in the 11th intercostal space (8.7 ± 2.78 cm). The thickness of the spleen ranged from 2.2 ± 1.14 cm caudal to the last rib to 6.4 ± 1.78 cm in the 11th intercostal space.

Ultrasonographic findings of the mammary gland, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and kidneys in transgenic goats for hG-CSF during induced lactation

“…This result does not suggest splenomegaly and is consistent with that reported in 14 out of 30 Saanen goats in another report (BRAUN;STEININGER, 2010). This variability of the splenic position could be attributed to breathing movements during ultrasound examination.…”

“…The gallbladder interior and its wall were checked for the presence of pathologic conditions, particularly calculi, obstructions, and foreign mass in the anechogenic lumen (ACORDA et al, 2006). Its area for examination and appearance were similar to that in earlier reports on goats and sheep (ACORDA et al, 2009b;BRAUN;STEININGER, 2011;KANDEEL et al, 2009). A smaller gallbladder length was observed in comparison with Saanen goats (4.5 cm) (BRAUN; STEININGER, 2011), probably because of the smaller size of Canindé female goats.…”

“…This was the area considered for examination and was in accordance with previous reports in goats (KANDEEL et al, 2009). The liver was thinnest in the 7 th ICS and 13 th rib, as demonstrated for Saanen goats (BRAUN;STEININGER, 2011). Hepatic parenchyma and the right kidney were visualized caudally to the 13 th rib on the same image.…”

Ultrasonography of the spleen, liver, gallbladder, caudal vena cava and portal vein in healthy calves from birth to 104 days of age

“…The spleen was first assessed subjectively by evaluating the visibility of the capsule and the ultrasonographic pattern of the parenchyma. The position of the dorsal and ventral visible limits of the spleen were assessed in each intercostal space to determine the size and location of the spleen analogous to the technique used in adult cattle [ 2 ] and goats [ 4 ]. The position of the dorsal and ventral visible limits of the spleen were determined in relation to the midline of the back using a measuring tape, and the visible size of the spleen was obtained by subtracting the distance between the dorsal limit and the midline from the distance between the ventral limit and the midline.…”

“…The ultrasonographic findings of the spleen, liver, gallbladder, caudal vena cava and portal vein of adult cattle have been described in detail [ 1 - 3 ]. These organs have also been characterised ultrasonographically in goats [ 4 , 5 ] and, with the exception of the spleen, in sheep [ 6 ]. In calves, similar reports are only available for newborns [ 7 ].…”