Today's Veterinary Practice

MAY-JUN 2013

Today's Veterinary Practice provides comprehensive information to keep every small animal practitioner up to date on companion animal medicine and surgery as well as practice building and management.

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| ImagIng EssEnTIals routine Views Lateral and ventrodorsal views are considered the minimum orthogonal radiographs for the spine. Due to the angled, divergent nature of the x-ray beam, the area of the spine in the center of the field of collimation will be the area that provides the correct anatomic detail and intervertebral disk space widths. lateral projection: thoracic spine For the lateral projection, position the patient in lateral recumbency (Figure 1). • Tape the thoracic limbs together evenly and pull cranially, keeping the sternum and vertebrae equidistant to the table. • a foam wedge may be placed under the cubital joints and/or sternum in order to maintain laterality of the patient; wedges are typically needed for large-breed and/or barrelchested dogs. • Tape the pelvic limbs together evenly and pull caudally, keeping the patient in lateral position. • The thoracic spine should be aligned with the horizontal line of the collimated field of view (FOV). To accomplish this alignment, the pelvis of the dog or cat may need to be shifted ventrally. To determine whether or not the patient is aligned in a lateral position and parallel to the table, gauge the superimposition of the iliac wings by palpating the wings to ensure they are even. lateral collimation For the lateral projection, the FOV should: • Include the dorsum just above the spinous processes • Exclude the sternum and ventral third of the thoracic cavity. For all patients: • Palpate the vertebrae of the thoracic spine by following the ribs dorsally to where they meet A routine thoracic spine study includes: 1. Lateral image of the thoracic spine 2. Ventrodorsal image of the thoracic spine 3. Lateral image of the thoracolumbar spine 4. Ventrodorsal image of the thoracolumbar spine. a B Figure 1. Dog positioned for lateral projection of the thoracic spine (A) and corresponding radiograph (B). the vertebral bodies; place the horizontal line of the FOV at this plane. • accommodate the contour of the thoracic spine from a ventral position cranially to a more dorsal position caudally. • Place the radiographic marker to the caudal right or left of the patient to keep it from overlapping with important anatomic areas. Ventrodorsal projection: thoracic spine For the ventrodorsal projection, position the patient in dorsal recumbency (Figure 2). • If a trough is used, place the entire thoracic spine within the trough to eliminate edge artifacts. • Extend the skull and neck and align with the manubrium; the skull and cervical spine should also be aligned in a straight line cranially. • align the sternum over the thoracic spine; it 60 Today's Veterinary Practice May/June 2013 should be superimposed onto the thoracic spine on the final image. • Tape the thoracic limbs either together or individually and pull cranially. • Tape the pelvic limbs individually and pull caudally. Ventrodorsal collimation For the ventrodorsal projection, the FOV should: • Include the thoracic vertebral bodies,

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