Ultrasonographic imaging of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta)

Abstract

Twenty live and five dead juvenile and subadult loggerhead sea turtles were examined ultrasonographically. Ten soft tissue areas of the integument were used as acoustic windows: cervical-dorsal and cervical-ventral, left and right cervicobrachial, left and right axillary, left and right prefemoral and left and right postfemoral windows. Anatomical cross-sections were performed on the dead turtles to provide reference data. The fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae, the spinal cord, and the venous sinuses of the external jugular vein were clearly visible through the cervical-dorsal acoustic window, and the oesophagus and the heart were imaged through the cervical-ventral acoustic window. The stomach was more frequently visible through the left axillary acoustic window. The liver could be imaged through both sides, but the right axillary acoustic window was better for visualising the gall bladder. The large and small intestines and the kidneys were visible through the right and left prefemoral acoustic windows; the kidneys were easily identified by their intense vasculature.

Ultrasound characterization of the coelomic cavity organs of the red-footed tortoise ( Chelonoidis carbonaria )

“…In some studies, atrioventricular valves were also observed as mobile hyperechoic lines (PENNINCK et al, 1991;POSER et al, 2011). Nevertheless, another study reported the observation of only one atrioventricular valve, which appeared as a short, horizontal, echogenic line located in the center between the atrium and ventricle (VALENTE et al, 2007). The average heart rate was similar to that described in other studies (FONTENELLE et al, 2000;VALENTE et al, 2008).…”

“…The cardiac ventricle showed a thick, trabecular wall, as observed in California desert tortoises (Xerobates agassizi), in sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) (PENNINCK, 1991;VALENTE et al, 2007;POSER et al, 2011). The location of the ventricle between the hepatic lobes and the thin-walled atrium was also seen in other studies (PENNINCK et al, 1991;VALENTE et al, 2008).…”

“…Unlike other descriptions from the literature (PENNINCK et al, 1991;SILVERMAN, 2006;VALENTE et al, 2007;REDROBE, 2010), the pre-axillary and femoral windows were not used here because a low-resolution image was produced, most likely due to the thick skin in these regions. Anesthesia was required for full extension of the limbs (SCHUMACHER & YELEN, 2006;REDROBE, 2010), resulted in better image quality and reduced the animal stress.…”

“…Additionally, the format and kidney echogenicity observed herein also differed from those of other turtle species. In red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), the kidneys have a lobed appearance and are isoechogenic with surrounding tissues and, in sea turtles (Caretta caretta), present as oval or comma-shaped structures and are hyperechoic with the surrounding soft tissues in appearance, in addition to containing a small hyperechoic focus that does not project acoustic shadows (MARTORELL et al, 2004;VALENTE et al, 2007;PEASE et al, 2010). However, in the desert tortoise (Xerobates agassizi), the kidneys showed as triangular shapes, although they have also been described as loosely lobulate, which was not seen in this study (PENNINCK et al, 1991) In this study, no distinction was observed between the kidney and the pelvis, medulla and cortex or the ureters (PENNINCK et al, 1991;MARTORELL et al, 2004).…”

“…In Brazil the redfooted tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria) is likely the most numerous chelonian species kept in captivity as a pet (PINHEIRO & MATIAS, 2004) represents a large proportion of the wild animals routinely attended by veterinarians. (Supress text) Regarding the ultrasound examination, previously, only directed ultrasonography of the reproductive system has been performed for the red-footed tortoise (TEIXEIRA, 2009) and for other species of turtles (KUCHLING, 1989;ROBECK et al, 1990;ROSTAL et al, 1990;MANIRE et al, 2008;PEASE et al, 2010;BLANCO et al, 2012), as well as general descriptions of turtle anatomy (PENNINCK et al, 1991;VALENTE et al, 2007;REDROBE, 2010).…”