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64 IMAGING ESSENTIALS Ultrasonography of Peritoneal and Retroperitoneal Spaces and Abdominal Lymph Nodes Clifford R. Berry, DVM, DACVR; Elizabeth Huyhn, DVM; and Danielle Mauragis, CVT University of Florida IMAGING ESSENTIALS The peritoneal and retroperitoneal spaces are assessed throughout the ultrasound examination of the entire abdomen. The abdominal lymph nodes (lymphocenters), which are located throughout the abdomen, drain specific regional organs and areas. This article reviews the normal ultrasonographic appearance of these structures in dogs and cats as well as commonly encountered abnormalities. PERITONEUM AND RETROPERITONEUM Normal Findings Ultrasound examination of the peritoneal and retroperitoneal spaces involves evaluation of the falciform, mesenteric, and retroperitoneal fat as well as potential cavities within these areas for the presence of masses, gas, or fluid ( Figure 1 ). Like the pleural space, the peritoneal Welcome to our series of articles on small animal abdominal ultrasonography. The initial articles provided an overview of basic ultrasonography principles and a discussion about how to perform a systematic scan of the abdomen. The rest of the series discusses ultrasound evaluation of specific abdominal organs/systems. Read the other small animal abdominal ultrasonography articles published in Today's Veterinary Practice at tvpjournal.com . IMAGING ESSENTIALS FIGURE 1. (A) Long-axis view of an adult canine liver just to the left of midline. The falciform fat seen in the near field (ventral; arrow) is hypoechoic relative to the liver and has a coarse echotexture. (B) Long-axis image in the area of the spleen from the same dog. The mesenteric fat (arrow) is seen dorsal to the spleen and is hypoechoic relative to the spleen and coarse in echotexture. (C) Fat in the retroperitoneal space surrounding the left adrenal gland. The fat is relatively hyperechoic to the left adrenal gland (LA) and is coarse in overall echogenicity. The anechoic circle ventral to the midportion of the long axis of the left adrenal gland is the phrenicoabdominal vein (arrow). HM, hypaxial musculature; Spl, spleen. A B C