Fat accumulation in the cranioventral aspect of the abdomen, some of which is in the falciform ligament, can create a large mass effect in this region ( Figure 7-5). ![]() The largest collections of abdominal fat in cats are in the retroperitoneal space and in the cranioventral aspect of the abdomen. Margin visualization is, however, better than in patients that are undernourished and emaciated (compare with Figure 7-3).Ĭats, particularly those in a state of positive caloric balance, can accumulate massive amounts of intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal fat. Conspicuity of serosal margin detail is diminished due to the relative lack of abdominal fat this is a common finding in young animals. 1įigure 7-4 Lateral radiograph of an 11-week-old golden retriever. Discrepancies between the opacity of fat in these two compartments can indicate the presence of retroperitoneal or intraperitoneal disease. ![]() The homogeneity and radiographic opacity of the intraperitoneal fat and retroperitoneal fat should be similar. Most abdominal organs are of soft tissue opacity, but the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract commonly contains material that is either more radiopaque than soft tissue, such as bone fragments, or less radiopaque than soft tissue, such as gas. Fat mainly provides enhanced visualization of the periphery of organs the character of the interior of abdominal organs relates to their constituency. Fat provides contrast to abdominal organs because it is of lower physical density and lower effective atomic number ( Figure 7-2). This is true for the intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal spaces. Radiographic visualization of abdominal organs requires that there be adequate normal surrounding fat to provide contrast. The edge of positioning devices should not be included in the primary x-ray beam. Also in B, the edge of the positioning trough has created a linear opacity (solid black arrows) that can also interfere with interpretation. In B, the pelvic limbs are pulled caudally, creating skin folds (solid white arrows) that can interfere with interpretation, and the caudal aspect of the abdominal cavity is narrower and more crowded. In A, the pelvic limbs are flexed, allowing relaxation of the caudal abdominal muscles and greater expansion of the caudal aspect of the abdomen. ![]() Figure 7-1 Ventrodorsal radiographs from two dogs.
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