Page 56 - Feline diagnostic imaging

52 5 Diagnostic Imaging of Diseases of the Skull

(a)

(b) (c)

Figure 5.4 Radiographs (a), computed tomography (b), and magnetic resonance imaging (c) are the primary modalities used to
evaluate the feline skull. Radiographs have largely been replaced by cross‐sectional imaging due to issues with superimposition.
The transverse CT and MRI images correspond to the reference lines on the radiograph shown in (a). In the center of the CT and
MRI images, multiple bone fractures (straight arrows) are identified and this is an area that is virtually impossible to evaluate with
radiographs. The mandibular fracture (curved arrow) would be visible on radiographs because the mandible is more peripheral
anatomically. CT is superior for bone and osseous lesion depiction, whereas MR is better for soft tissue depiction since different
types of tissue have different signal intensities. Source: Images courtesy of Dr Shannon P. Holmes, Animal Cross‐Sectional
Imaging Specialists.