This document provides information on radiographic interpretation of various body systems in animals. It begins with an introduction to radiographic interpretation and factors that affect accurate interpretation. It then discusses systematic interpretation and provides details on interpreting radiographs of the neck, thorax, abdomen, bones and joints. Key points include how different tissues appear on radiographs, normal anatomy, and radiographic signs of common diseases. The document emphasizes that radiography provides adjunct information and diagnosis requires correlating radiographic findings with clinical history and examination.
2. 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.
3. Cont…
Air 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.
4. Cont…
Head 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.
5.
6. Cont…
A 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.
7. Important factors for accurate
interpretation:
History
Viewing box
Distant evaluation of X-ray
Asses the identified abnormality
Assessment of the duration of the lesion
9. 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
11. Heart
In 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.
13. 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
15. with mitral and tricuspid
valvular insufficiency.
The caudal lobar pulmonary
vessels are enlarged
increased visibility of the
right caudal lobar
pulmonary artery
CARDIOMEGALY
17. 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
23. 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.
25. Hepatomegaly
This 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.
26. 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.
27. 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
32. 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.
34. Interpretation of radiographic
lesion:
1. FRACTURE- evaluation of normal
healing
A lucent line noticed at the beginning
Osteocalcis along the fracture line within 5
days
Bridging calcified periosteal callous
formation
Remodeling of callous with restoration of
continuity of the medullary cavity and cortex
35. 2. FRACTURE- non union
Irregular translucent fracture line present
The broken ends of the bone appear white
Obliteration of the medullary cavity
3. DISLOCATION
Malalignment and displacement of the
apposing articular surfaces
Disruption of adjacent fascial plane
Periarticular soft tissue swelling
36. 4. SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
Periarticular soft tissue swelling and
distension of joint capsule
In early stages- increase in joint space due to
synovial effusion
As the disease progresses- narrowing of the
joint space due to destruction of the articular
surfaces
In advanced case- widening of joint space
due to subchondral bone destruction.
37. 4. OSTEO ARTHRITIS:
Synovial effusion initial widening of the
radiolucent joint space
perichondral osteophyte formation
mineralization of intra articular and peri
articular soft tissues
39. 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.
40. (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
41. Normal canine hip: (vd view)
In hip dysplasia,
normal conventional
view is extended
ventrodorsal
projection of
coxofemoral joint.
Another method is
ventrodorsal
distraction
projection
