Ultrasound Imaging of the Hepatobiliary System and Pancreas.

Ultrasound is an extremely valuable diagnostic modality for the diagnosis of hepatobiliary and pancreatic disease. Normal appearance and normal variations are important to understand to avoid misinterpretation. Although ultrasound can identify a lesion, cytology and histopathology are usually needed for a final diagnosis.

Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings of primary and metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma in a young dog.

This report describes the gross, histological, and immunohistochemical features of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) with pulmonary metastases in a young dog. Sheets of pleomorphic cells supported by fibrous stroma characterized the primary mass, while metastatic nodules had a neuroendocrine pattern. Despite differing histologic features, all masses showed marked immunoreactivity against calcitonin and multiple neuroendocrine markers consistent with MTC.

Ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract.

Sonographic scanning techniques of the gastrointestinal tract are presented. Normal anatomy and ultrasound appearance of the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine are discussed, followed by the ultrasound appearance of gastrointestinal inflammation, neoplastic disease, and obstruction.

Ultrasound of the thorax (noncardiac).

Ultrasound examination of the thorax is an extremely valuable adjunct imaging modality in chest wall, pleural, mediastinal, and pulmonary disease. While air-filled lungs will obscure some deeper pulmonary lesions, ultrasound can evaluate peripheral pulmonary disease, mediastinal masses, and the extent and character of pleural effusions. Ultrasound guidance of needle biopsies and thoracocentesis provides safe and accurate lesion sampling.

Comparison of ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging in detection of acute wooden foreign bodies in the canine manus.

We evaluated the diagnostic sensitivity of ultrasound, nonenhanced computed tomography (CT) and nonenhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in detecting wooden foreign bodies in the canine manus. Identical wooden splinters were manually inserted into 30 cadaver canine manus, and the limbs were evaluated using ultrasound, CT, and MR imaging by independent observers. All sites were rated as positive or negative for the presence of a foreign body, and observer certainty was scored on a 1-10 scale.

Age-relatedchanges in the ultrasound appearance of the normal feline pancreas.

In humans, pancreatic hyperechogenicity and duct dilation are reported as normal aging changes. Similar changes have been reported with pancreatitis in the cat. We attempted to determine if aging changes occur in the ultrasound appearance of the normal feline pancreas.