John S. Mattoon, DVM, DACVR

Obvious thoracic disease need not be discussed here. Fulminating heart failure, pneumonia, advanced metastatic lung disease, severe pneumothorax and pleural effusion are reliably diagnosed radiographically. What I would like to share with you are the less obvious radiographic manifestations of acute cardio-respiratory disease and my approach to diagnosis. And remember, in the final assessment much can be learned from the presenting clinical signs. Does the patient have a cardiac murmur or history of heart disease? Was there an observed or suspected trauma?

Much can be learned about the gastrointestinal tact (GIT) by careful evaluation of survey abdominal radiographs. Survey radiographs of the abdomen in cases of GIT disease should always include the stomach, liver, and diaphragm. Stomach position, size, shape and contents are evaluated. The small intestine is assessed for position and distribution within the abdominal cavity, diameter, and luminal contents.

The normal thorax is well suited to radiographic evaluation because there is marked inherent contrast between the air-filled, fluid-filled, soft tissue, and bony structures that comprise the thoracic viscera and thoracic wall. As has been stated before, at least 2 orthogonal views of the thorax are required for complete and accurate interpretation. For routine evaluation of the thorax, either a right or left lateral projection, and a dorsoventral or ventrodorsal projection of the thorax are required.