Page 326 - Feline diagnostic imaging

334 21 Normal Gastrointestinal Anatomy

(a) (b)

(c)

Figure 21.1 Radiographs of a 3-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair with a history of chronic intermittent regurgitation. The
esophagus is not visible on survey radiography. (a) Lateral projection. (b) Ventrodorsal projection. (c) A feeding tube (arrows) identifies
the location of the esophagus in this cat with hepatic lipidosis but the esophagus is not otherwise visible. L, liver; S, stomach.

added complication if surgery is necessary. The use of bar- the GIT, including the esophagus. Gastrointestinal tran-
ium, however, does not preclude surgery and should not be sit of these products is quicker compared to barium.
avoided if necessary for a diagnosis to be made. Aspiration Remember to distinguish between nonionic and ionic
of a small amount of barium is usually well tolerated but iodinated contrast media. The comparatively newer non-
inhalation of a large amount is usually fatal (Figure 21.3). ionic products have the advantages of iodinated contrast
Thus, it is critical to ensure that if a stomach tube used for compared to barium but are not hypertonic and thus
administration, it is placed properly (Figure 21.4). Barium exhibit fewer side effects. Although nonionic products
paste should not be used if aspiration is likely because it are more expensive than ionic products, their increased
could plug small bronchi. Give liquid barium slowly if a safety has made these products more desirable for human
syringe is used for administration to avoid aspiration into medicine than the ionic products. Consequently, some
the lungs. Make sure that extension of the head does not ionic products are no longer available. Additionally,
interfere with the cat’s ability to swallow. barium continues to be preferred as the routine gastroin-
Iodinated contrast media [4,5] are preferred when testinal contrast medium because of its greater ability to
there is the possibility of perforation of any portion of cling to the mucosa.