Page 222 - A Practical Guide to Equine Radiography

VetBooks.ir CHAPTER 18

Abdomen

Indications • Mounted plate holder (ceiling- or wall-
Radiography of the abdomen is rarely per- mounted)
formed in horses and limited to referral centres • Radiation safety equipment: lead gowns and
in adult, full-sized horses. Main indications for thyroid protectors.
obtaining abdominal radiographs are:

• Investigation of chronic and recurrent colic Preparation
episodes If necessary, brush or wash the area to reduce
• Suspected sand accumulation within the artefacts caused by dirt. Sedation of the patient
colon or presence of enteroliths is advised. Divide the abdomen according to the
• Investigation of colic in foals, ponies and size of the plates so each view overlaps slightly.
small horses
• Investigation of meconium impactions in
foals. Radiographic protocol
Radiographic protocol of the abdomen of an
adult horse is composed of several overlapping
Equipment laterolateral (LL) radiographs. The number of
For a complete study of the thorax the follow- views depends on the suspected disease, with
ing equipment is required: the most commonly evaluated area being the
cranioventral aspect of the abdomen (Fig.
• High-output X-ray generator 18.1). In foals and ponies, one or two views
• Large plates (35 × 43 cm) are enough (see Fig. 18.4).
• Parallel grid, depending on the system used

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