RADIOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION

RADIOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATIONAVINASHBVN13007

INTRODUCTION:-Radiographic Interpretation is translation of radiographic image into an explanation of the pathology underlying the abnormalities that are observed.But it should be remembered that radiography is not an absolute diagnostic tool but only an adjunct to clinical diagnosis. Similar radiological sign may be produced by different disease.

ContAir allows the most x-rays through the animal, resulting in a dark image. Fat is next, creating an image that appears lighter than air. Lighter still is fluid or soft tissue. Structures that are very dense (such as bone) block most of the photons, and appear white on developed film. It should be done when the film is dry.

ContHead should be on left hand side.Head & Vertebral column should come on top line.Pelvic side should be on right hand side and diaphragm should be left hand side.For viewing go fr0m center in circular manner. Or from one corner to another corner. Or from periphery to center part.

ContA radiograph should be viewed on an illuminator fitted with fluorescent light so that all parts of the X-Ray film receive similar intensity of the light.Fine details of the radiograph should be examined minutely before concentrating on gross lession.Instant diagnosis should be avoided.Satisfactory radiographic interpretation is dependent on complete and systematic evaluation.

Important factors for accurate interpretation:HistoryViewing boxDistant evaluation of X-rayAsses the identified abnormalityAssessment of the duration of the lesion

Systematic Radiographic Interpretation RADIOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION OF NECK AND THORAX

Esophagus:-Esophagus not usually seen on plain films of neck/thorax because in its normal collapsed state its density is same as that of neck& mediastinum .Dilatation of esophagus-it may be segmental or it may involve the entire length of the esophagus :- MEGAESOPHAGUS

Megaesophagus

HeartIn general, the heart should be approximately 2/3 the height of the thorax and 50% of the width of the thorax.On the lateral view, the heart should measure approximately 3 IC spaces to 4-5 IC spaces.In the larger dogs, the heart comprises approximately 70% of the height of the thorax.

Ductus arteriosus

The arrowhead points to the aneurysmal bulge of the descending aorta. The bulging of the proximal descending aorta (arrowhead) is more distinct in this view

Heartworm disease

Enlargement and tortuosity of the caudal lobar pulmonary arteries The medial and lateral margins of the right and left caudal pulmonary lobar arteries are identified

Pericardial effusions

pericardial and pleural effusion

with mitral and tricuspid valvular insufficiency.

The caudal lobar pulmonary vessels are enlarged

increased visibility of the right caudal lobar pulmonary artery CARDIOMEGALY

HYDROPERICARDIUM

Lungs A bronchial pattern is characterized by thickened airways (donuts), or mineralized or dilated airways, and indicates airway diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema,lungworms and heartworms. An alveolar pattern is characterized by an increased soft tissue opacity, inability to see vessels, and presence of air bronchograms. An interstitial pattern is characterized by an increased opacity and fuzzy vessel margins

Pulmonary mass

with a cavitary pulmonary mass

sternal and perihilar lymphadenopathy

Pneumothorax

Hydrothorax

Diaphragmatic hernia

RADIOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION OF ABDOMEN

Abdominal Radiographic interpretation :-

Abdominal X-rays provide an image of the bones and the outlines of a number of internal organs including the liver, stomach, intestines, kidneys, bladder, uterus and prostate gland.A tumor may blend into the background of normal organs because they have the same "opacity," or shade of gray as the normal tissues. Some foreign objects (such as some plastics) can be invisible on the X-ray.

Radiography of a normal abdomen

HepatomegalyThis radiograph also shows hepatomegaly, but in this case the borders of the liver are not as sharp. This could be due to a swelling of one of the lobes or fluid in the abdomen. An enlarged spleen can look like this also.

Cont..Some radiographs of a liver with hepatomegaly don't show the routine shape of the liver lobes. Sometimes we diagnose hepatomegaly or microhepatica indirectly by looking at the angle of the stomach.

Sometimes we can not say for sure whether an enlarged organ on a radiograph is the liver. This mass, located near the liver, could also be an enlarged spleen, small intestine, lymph node, stomach, or even pancreas

Urinary stones

Normal kidney

Calcification of adrenal gland in kidney

Spleenomegaly

Abnormal uterus (pyometra)This x-ray shows an enlarged uterus in the abdomen. The uterus (U) is the area just to the left of the bladder (B). You can see it as several areas that are circular or elongate. A normal uterus does not usually show up on an x-ray.

BONE AND JOINTS

Interpretation of radiographic lesion:FRACTURE- evaluation of normal healingA lucent line noticed at the beginningOsteocalcis along the fracture line within 5 daysBridging calcified periosteal callous formationRemodeling of callous with restoration of continuity of the medullary cavity and cortex

FRACTURE- non unionIrregular translucent fracture line present The broken ends of the bone appear whiteObliteration of the medullary cavityDISLOCATIONMalalignment and displacement of the apposing articular surfacesDisruption of adjacent fascial planePeriarticular soft tissue swelling

SEPTIC ARTHRITISPeriarticular soft tissue swelling and distension of joint capsuleIn early stages- increase in joint space due to synovial effusionAs the disease progresses- narrowing of the joint space due to destruction of the articular surfacesIn advanced case- widening of joint space due to subchondral bone destruction.

OSTEO ARTHRITIS:Synovial effusion initial widening of the radiolucent joint spaceperichondral osteophyte formationmineralization of intra articular and peri articular soft tissues

SCAPULAR BODY AND SPINE FRACTURE:

FIG. 24-5 This distal one-third transverse fracture of the radius and ulna (A) was treated with open reduction and internal fixation using a plate and screws (B). This type of fracture could also be treated with open reduction and external fixation if treated soon after the injury. This particular animal presented 2 weeks after the injury (which had been treated) in a cast without reduction.

(A) Cranial-caudal radiograph of a distal transverse radial and segmental ulnar fracture in a German shepherd. (B) Lateral radiograph demonstrates fixation using an ulnar Steinmann pin and a radial bone plate. (C) The fracture 10 weeks later following bony union

Normal canine hip: (vd view)

In hip dysplasia, normal conventional view is extended ventrodorsal projection of coxofemoral joint. Another method is ventrodorsal distraction projection

Hip dysplasia with rotation of stifle joint-vd view

Right-acetabular fracture.Left- hip luxation and subtrochanteric femoral fracture.

Femur fracture(after reduction)mediolateral view

Chronic LUXATION OF PATELLA with angulations femoral condyle.( luxation of patella is superimposed on trochlea of the femur)

Changes in the infrapatellar fat pad located between the arrows- increased synovial volume (JOINT DISEASE)

Soft tissue mass(solid arrows) and aggressive periosteal new bone(open arrows) indicating an aggressive bone lesion- malunion fracture

Sclerotic lesion in the distal diaphysis and metaphysis (Femur-lateral):-

REFRENCESVETERINARY RADIOLOGY A.P.SINGH JIT SINGHRUMINANT SURGERY R.P.S.TYAGI JIT SINGH A.P.SINGH P.K.PESHIN

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