Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association
-
Vet Radiol Ultrasound · Jan 1997
ReviewA review of sonographic identification of abdominal blood vessels and juxtavascular organs.
Abdominal vasculature can be evaluated non-invasively using 2-D ultrasound imaging and Doppler ultrasonography. The identification of abdominal vessels using ultrasound is based on knowledge of their normal location, appearance and relationship to specific organs. Because anatomic location of major abdominal vessels is fairly consistent, finding and following vessels is a useful aid when attempting to locate and evaluate juxta-vascular organs. ⋯ This includes the sonographic appearance of the aorta, caudal vena cava, and protal vein, their major branches and their anatomic relationship with adjacent organs. Identification of the medial iliac lymph nodes, mesenteric lymph nodes, abdominal esophagus, duodenum, spleen, kidneys, pancreas, adrenal glands and liver lobes are assisted by recognizing specific vascular landmarks. The locations and appearances of pertinent organs as pertains to abdominal vasculature (caudal vena cava and aorta) are described.