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Use of Plain Radiography in the Diagnosis, Surgical Management, and Postoperative Treatment of Obstructive Urolithiasis in 25 Goats and 2 Sheep
Author(s) -
Kinsley Marc A.,
Semevolos Stacy,
Parker Jill E.,
DuesterdieckZellmer Katja,
Huber Michael
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-950x.2013.12021.x
Subject(s) - medicine , radiography , plain radiography , radiology , surgery
Objective To describe use of plain radiography for diagnosis, surgical management, and postoperative treatment of obstructive urolithiasis in small ruminants. Study Design Retrospective case series. Animals Small ruminants (n = 27; 25 goats, 2 sheep). Methods Medical records (January 2002–November 2011) and radiographs for all small ruminants diagnosed with obstructive urolithiasis and having plain abdominal radiographs were reviewed. Signalment, surgical procedures, radiographic findings, ultrasonographic findings, position of calculi, and how plain radiography influenced surgical management and postoperative treatment were recorded. Results Radiopaque urinary calculi were detected in 23 (85%) plain radiographic studies. Location of uroliths determined by plain radiography included: cystic only (n = 5), distal to the sigmoid flexure and cystic (5), subischial (5), distal to the sigmoid flexure only (3), sigmoid flexure (3), and subischial and cystic (2). In 8 of these animals, postoperative radiographs revealed residual calculi in the urethra and were essential for their targeted removal by urethrotomy in 7 animals. Conclusions In regions where radiopaque calculi (calcium carbonate, calcium oxalate, silica) are commonly encountered in small ruminants, plain radiographs are recommended to determine the appropriate surgical approach(es) and to confirm resolution of the obstruction.