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Computed tomography for the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of bacterial pneumonia in Indian pythons ( Python molurus )
Author(s) -
Pees M,
Kiefer I,
Oechtering G,
KrautwaldJunghanns ME
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
veterinary record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.261
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 2042-7670
pISSN - 0042-4900
DOI - 10.1136/vr.163.5.152
Subject(s) - python (programming language) , computed tomography , medicine , disease , radiology , biology , pathology , computer science , operating system
Eight Indian pythons ( Python molurus ) with clinical and microbiological evidence of pneumonia were examined by computed tomography ( ct ) before and after treatment. The results were assessed subjectively and measurements were taken following a standard protocol. Changes in the lung tissue of all the pythons were diagnosed, and the extent of the disease could be assessed. ct examinations after treatment showed an improvement in the six pythons whose clinical condition had improved, but in the other two pythons they demonstrated the severity of the disease. The subjective assessments were superior to the evaluation of measurements of attenuation in regions of interest. However, the average and the maximum attenuation provided additional information on the extent of the disease. Except for one python with only mild clinical signs, the attenuation after successful treatment was still higher than in healthy pythons.