Introduction

• Radiography of the thorax can be problematical due to difficulties eliminating movement blur resulting from breathing.
• High output (high mA capability) X-ray machines enable exposure times to be minimized, reducing the risk of movement blur.
• If the machine cannot achieve sufficiently low exposure times, general anesthesia may be required.
  Under anesthesia respiration can be interrupted by gentle pressure on the rebreathing bag, eliminating movement blur.
• Inflation of the lungs in this way can make small soft tissue opacities more visible.
• A reasonably high kV, along with high mA capability, will facilitate the use of shorter exposure times and avoid excessive image contrast.
• Close collimation of the primary beam should be practised at all times.
• The objective is to produce a radiograph which includes the whole area of interest, is correctly exposed and developed, and is free from movement blur and artifacts.
• The film should be clearly marked with the anatomical marker, the patient's identification, the date and the name of the hospital or practice.

Uses

• Demonstration of lung pathology  .
• Assessment of cardiac size and shape Heart: congestive heart failure  .
• Confirmation of diaphragmatic herniation Diaphragm: hernia   .
• Examination of esophagus Esophagus: disease   .
• Demonstration of pleural space pathology Pleural effusion   .
• Demonstration of mediastinal pathology  .
• Distal tracheal pathology  .
• Detection of fractured ribs  , or other rib pathology .

Advantages

• Non-invasive, valuable diagnostic tool.
• Can be performed under sedation if equipment is adequate.
• Can be performed with no chemical restraint if patient is very sick.
• Relatively quick and simple where general anesthesia is not required.

Disadvantages

• May require general anesthesia.
  Placing a dyspneic animal in dorsal or lateral recumbency may compromise respiration in some cases.Struggling with a non-compliant, eg undersedated, patient may be detrimental to its condition.

Requirements

Preparation

Procedure

Outcomes

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Rishniw M (2000) Radiography of feline cardiac disease. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 30 (2), 395-425 PubMed.
• Wolvekamp W T (1988) Radiology of the thorax. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd 113 (Suppl 1), 93S-97S PubMed.