Small Animals Fracture Repair

Radiographic Interpretation of the Abdomen

Figures 41, 42: Adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder. A, A pneumocystogram clearly shows a neoplasm on the trigone and explains the associated clinical sign of dysuria. B, Survey examination of the abdominal cavity fails to demonstrate the etiologic basis of hematouria.

Figure 43: Rupture of the urinary bladder. This condition is best demonstrated by injecting air into the urinary bladder and then, with the patient in the left lateral recumbent position, radiographing the abdominal cavity with a horizontal beam. The air will be seen to accumulate beneath the costal arch and the right crus of the diaphragm (arrows).

Figure 44: Close-up view of the penis of a dog presenting with hematuria. There are two calculi lodged within the os penis (arrow).

Figure 45: Survey abdominal films revealed the presence of multiple opaque cyctic calculi. No urethral calculi are vire visible in this film. Following cystotomy to remove the cyctic calculi, the hematuria persisted. The positive contrast urethrogram reveals the presence of a number of radiolucent urethral calculi in the ischial arch and at the base of the os penis.

Figure 46: Old fracture of the os penis in a nine-year-old German shephered. This is a non-union fracture.

Figure 47: Dystocia. Retained fetus in an abdominal presentation. A live pup was delivered by cesarean from this two-year-old dachshund.

Figure 48: Ruptured uterus. There are three fetuses free in the peritoneal cavity. One is emphysematous (1) and two (2) are being reabsorbed and show only a few remnants of the skeleton. This was a one-year-old cat that had delivered three kittens nine days prior to this radiograph.

Figure 49: Enlarged uteri. Normal gravid uteri prior to ossification of the fetal skeletons.

Figures 50, 51: Pyometra. There are multiple homogenous rounded masses in the posterior one half of the abdomen. This patient was a seven-year-old female chow.

Figure 52: Pyometra in a cat. The multiple, rounded, homogenous, convoluted masses in the caudal ventral aspect of the abdomen with the resultant dorsal cranial deviation of the small bowel loops are typical of this condition.

Figures 53, 54: A. Hyperplasia of the prostate. Above, plain film shows two large homogeneous masses in the posterior aspect of the abdominal cavity. B. A pneumocystogram demonstrates an enlarged prostate causing cranial displacement of the urinary bladder.

Figures 55, 56: A. Prostatic hyperplasia. Survey abdominal radiographs reveal two homogenous densities in the caudal abdominal cavity. B. A positive contrast urethrogram shows cranial deviation of the urinary bladder due to a generalized symmetrical enlargement of the prostate around the urethra. The radiolucent object in the prostatic urethra represents an air bubble.

Figure 57:Prostatic calculi. The calculi are located posterior to the bladder and with the prostate.

Figure 58: A pneumocystogram performed on a dog with hematuria demonstrates numerous prostatic-urethral fistulas resulting from prostatic abscess. Air can be seen dissecting from the prostatic urethra into the parenchyma of the enlarged prostate gland.

Figure 59: Prostatic hyperplasia causing constipation. The mass (arrows) is shown occupying the inlet of the pelvic canal. A large fecal mass is anterior to and blocked by the prostate.

Figure 60: Splenomegaly (2). The spleen appears enlarged and the margins are rounded. Other finding on this radiograph include renal calculi (1) and prostatic hyperplasia (3).

Figures 61, 62: A, B. Hemangioma of the spleen. Although a definite origin for the observed mass cannot be determined, its location is suggestive of spleen. This particular splenic tumor is so extensive that a normal splenic pole is not seen.

Figure 63: Normal abdomen of a young puppy. The absence of fat prevents clear demonstration of the visceral structures.

Figure 64: Acute peritonitis. There is a complete lack of detail and contrast in this survey radiograph of the abdomen. There is no evidence of secondary paralytic ileus. If radiographic signs of ascitis or peritonitis are present, centesis of the peritoneal cavity is indicated.