Lecture 4

Question 1

What are the possible methodologies for radiographing birds?

Answer 1

-bird in a box
-perching
-sedated
*NEVER manual restraint

Question 2

What are the characteristics of bird in a box radiology method?

Answer 2

-limited diagnostically
-lowest stress
-may allow for identification of major issues

Question 3

What are the characteristics of perching radiology method?

Answer 3

-horizontal beam is useful
-bird is not restrained; may wish to apply hoods to falcons
-still get superimposition of legs and wings

Question 4

What are the characteristics of sedated radiology method?

Answer 4

-best in regards to diagnostic images
-preferred by radiologists
-requires anesthesia
-always take a VD rather than a DV
-do VD first and lateral second

Question 5

What are the parts of skeletal anatomy labelled in this image?

Answer 5

1: sternum
2: coracoid
3: clavicles/furcula
4: scapula

Question 6

What can be assessed on a sedated VD view?

Answer 6

-symmetry of organs
-pectoral and pelvic girdle
-heart and liver silhouette
-caudal air sacs

Question 7

What are the keys to taking a good VD view in birds?

Answer 7

-straight body position
-keel overlying spine
-shoulders symmetrical and level

Question 8

What are the anatomical structures labelled in this image?

Answer 8

7: tibiotarsus
1: humerus
3: clavicle
2: coracoid
11: pygostyle
6: femur
4: scapula
8: fibula

Question 9

What are the anatomical structures labelled in this image?

Answer 9

19: intestines
17: liver
14: thoracic and abdominal air sacs
16: heart
15: diverticula; clavicular air sacs
20: cloaca
13: lung
18: ventriculus

Question 10

What are the anatomical structures labelled in this image?

Answer 10

1: heart silhouette
2: liver silhouette
4: cardiac width
5: thoracic width

Question 11

How should cardiac width compare to thoracic width in medium sized parrots?

Answer 11

cardiac width should be 50-60% of thoracic width

Question 12

What can be assessed on a sedated lateral view?

Answer 12

-spine
-heart and blood vessels
-lung structure
-spleen
-kidneys
-gonads
-GI system

Question 13

What are the characteristics of the lateral view in birds?

Answer 13

-typically a right lateral view
-coxofemoral joints and shoulder joints will be superimposed

Question 14

What are the anatomic structures labelled in this image?

Answer 14

7/8/10/11: vertebrae
5: femur
1: sternum/keel
9: synsacrum
6: tibiotarsus
3: clavicle
2: coracoid
4: scapula

Question 15

What are the anatomical structures labelled in this image?

Answer 15

15: lung
18: proventriculus
21: liver
14: trachea
16: heart
23: kidney
22: spleen
17: crop
24: gonad
19: ventriculus

Question 16

What are the characteristics of an “H” view?

Answer 16

-provides an improved view of coracoid and thoracic girdle
-angle set at 45 degrees

Question 17

What are the characteristics of magnification views?

Answer 17

-patient is elevated from cassette
-causes loss of detail
-divergent beam

Question 18

What is the term for this radiographic view?

Answer 18

“H” view

Question 19

What is this “odd normal” that occurs in ducks?

Answer 19

syringeal bullae

Question 20

What is this “odd normal” seen in predatory birds?

Answer 20

skeleton/bones in the crop and gizzard from predation

Question 21

What is this “odd normal” seen in penguins?

Answer 21

bifurcated trachea

Question 22

What are classic signs of illness to be aware of on radiographs?

Answer 22

-loss of cardiohepatic waist
-irregular bones/changes in consistency
-lack of symmetry

Question 23

What can cause a loss of the cardiohepatic waist?

Answer 23

-hepatomegaly
-cardiomegaly
-splenomegaly
-enlargement of ventriculus/proventriculus/repro tract

Question 24

What are possible bone irregularities seen on radiographs?

Answer 24

-increased lucency
-sclerosis
-fractures
-bowed bones

Question 25

Where should symmetry be assessed in birds?

Answer 25

-primarily at shoulders -femoral heads/pelvis