Diagnostics

In this session we will review thoracic radiology and echocardiography with an emphasis on normal and abnormal anatomic features.

Radiographic evaluation has fast become a common facet of veterinary dentistry and only practices that utilize dental radiography can practice quality dentistry. Interpretation of radiographic changes that occur in the tooth and surrounding bone take many forms.

A new study finds that most veterinarians still use film-based radiography, but digital radiography is up and coming.

Aside from ultrasound, a digital radiography suite is going to be the most expensive upgrade for the private practitioner in the realm of diagnostic imaging. However, this expense will be well worth the investment from a diagnostic imaging standpoint. After more than a century of film and film screen imaging, the backdrop of diagnostic radiology has changed from hanging films on view boxes to LCD monitors.

Incorrect answer for Image Quiz: Dermatology-A bulldog with erythematous plaque

CT scanning has many uses in equine medicine and surgery.

Telemedicine offers profit and high-quality care to clients and practitioners.

The inherent poor contrast within the abdomen and the fact that soft tissue and fluid can not be differentiated radiographically means that contrast media are required for assessment of luminal surfaces, and therefore wall thicknesses of the gastrointestinal tract.

Digital radiography is the fastest growing imaging modality in medicine. It is replacing conventional analog imaging in practices across the United States. Eventually all veterinary practices will utilize this modality.

The thorax is traditionally examined by a compartment approach-6 basic compartments or "spaces" plus the thoracic wall should be considered during the radiographic examination. The compartments include the mediastinum, the pleural space and four pulmonary divisions-bronchial, vascular, interstitial and alveolar.

Computed tomography is becoming more and more readily available to general practices, either as a local referral practice or in-house in larger practices. Typically this procedure is performed only on the most complex cases and only under general anesthesia.

Survey radiography is commonly used to image the urinary tract and provides information on size, shape, opacity, location and, margination of urinary organs. This modality is rapid and cost effective for screening animals with suspected urinary tract disease.

Often our most delicate patients, dyspneic cats demand the utmost efficiency with the minimal stress during imaging. While most radiologist would appreciate 2 or 3 view imaging, the practical clinician will attempt to maximize the stress inherent in radiography with a single view.

Mistakes are commonly made in radiographic interpretation of the thorax. Errors are due to the various radiopacities normally present, non-uniform thoracic shape, functional changes occurring during the respiratory cycle and occasionally an incomplete knowledge base.

This session will cover radiographic and ultrasound imaging of the gastrointestinal tract. Many basic principles and "older" techniques will be discussed. Newer techniques including MR and CT imaging will be briefly discussed.

Why do they vomit? Because they can! What organ is the cause? What do we know about pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease and hepatobiliary conditions? This session will present a spectrum of cases, each providing a significant radiographic or ultrasound learning point.

Grey-scale ultrasound has proven to be modestly sensitive for neoplastic nodules in the liver. In cases where there are many nodules, especially larger or coalescing nodules, ultrasound is more likely to detect the nodules.

The patient is coughing with no other signs, but now there is a murmur. What to do? I take radiographs and hope that they guide me for the next test.

Radiographic assessment of the heart and pulmonary vessels is challenging regardless of the species. This is due to numerous factors including variation between species and breeds, exposure factors, effects of the cardiac and respiratory cycles, radiographic positioning and quality of x-ray equipment.

Computed tomography is becoming more and more readily available to general practices, either as a local referral practice or in-house in larger practices.

Diagnosis of emergency-critical care conditions requires the same attention to good radiographic technique as routine conditions. Otherwise serious errors can result which may seriously affect outcome.

This session will discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages of digital radiography. This modality can save time, money and frustration, but comes with an initial up-front financial cost.

During the last few years, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography have made significant improvements in assessing equine tissue damage and diagnosing disease.

A 2-year-old intact male Boston terrier was evaluated because of a recent onset of gagging and vomiting.

A good clinical oral examination is one of the most important tools we have for diagnosing many dental and oral problems. However, much of the pathology in the oral cavity involves the roots and supportive bone of the teeth instead of their visible crowns.