Vandana Sangwan

Comparison of radiography and ultrasonography in the detection of lung and liver cysts in cattle and buffaloes

Aim: Echinococcosis is the major cause of lung and liver cysts in ruminants. This study compared usefulness of radiography and ultrasonography (USG) in the detection of lung and/or liver cysts in sick bovine animals. The study also worked out cooccurrence of lung and liver cysts, and whether these cysts were primary cause of sickness or not. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 45 sick bovine (37 buffaloes and 8 cattle) suffering from lung and liver cysts. A complete history of illness and clinical examination was carried out. Lateral radiographs of chest and reticular region were taken. In radiographically positive or suspected cases of cysts, USG of the lung and liver region was done. Depending on the location of cyst and clinical manifestations of the animal, the cysts were categorized as primary or secondary causes of sickness. Results: Using either imaging technique, it was observed that 46.7% of the animals had both lung and liver cysts, whereas 33.3% had only lung and 20% had only liver cyst. Cysts were identified as primary cause of sickness in 31.1% animals only. For diagnosing lung cysts, radiography (71.1%) and USG (62.2%) had similar diagnostic utility. However, for detecting liver cysts, USG was the only imaging tool. Conclusion: The lung and liver cysts, depending on their number and size may be a primary cause of sickness in bovine. Radiography and USG are recommended, in combination, as screening tools to rule out echinococcosis.

Radiographic prediction of metallic foreign body penetration in the reticulum of cows and buffaloes

Aim This study aimed to evaluate the role of radiography in the standing (right and left) and recumbent (right) lateral positions for the detection and prediction of metallic foreign body penetration in the reticular wall. Materials and Methods A total of 41 bovines (23 cows and 18 buffaloes) having at least one sharp metallic foreign body (>1 cm) detected on reticular radiographs were investigated, and their extent of penetration in the reticular wall was confirmed on the left flank laparorumenotomy. Results Of total sharp metallic foreign bodies retrieved on rumenotomy, the maximum percent were detected on the right recumbent radiographic view (75.00% in cows and 57.14% in buffaloes) compared to the right standing (54.38% in cows and 40.42% in buffaloes) and left standing (51.06% in cows and 27.08% in buffaloes) radiographic views. The presence of gas pocket or nodule adjoining a foreign body, faintly visible foreign body, foreign body that appeared partially or completely out of the reticulum, and foreign body that appeared parallel, into, or directed toward the diaphragm indicated a high probability in the prediction of penetrating foreign body in the left standing (100%) followed by the right recumbent (85.71% in cattle and 90% in buffaloes) and right standing (94.74% in cattle and 55.56% in buffaloes) radiographic views. Conclusion The right recumbent radiographic view is most reliable to detect sharp metallic foreign bodies in bovine. Buffaloes engulf more number of foreign bodies; however, comparatively, the number of completely or partially penetrating foreign bodies is high in cattle. The hypothesized radiographic parameters for the prediction of penetrability of the metallic foreign body were 100% reliable in the left standing radiographic view in both the species.

Doppler Ultrasonography of Common Carotid Artery and External Jugular Vein in Healthy and Reticulo-Diaphragmatic Hernia Affected Buffaloes

The study was aimed to establish normal Doppler blood flow parameters of right common carotid artery and right external jugular vein in 20 clinically healthy non-gravid adult buffaloes. The Doppler blood flow parameters were also studied in ten buffaloes suffering from reticulo-diaphragmatic hernia and the changes in the various blood flow parameters were compared with that of healthy buffaloes. The correlations among various blood flow parameters like the pulsatility index, resistive index, peak systole velocity, end diastole velocity, time average maximum velocity, time averaged mean velocity and volume flow for each vessel and between the vessels were worked out in healthy buffaloes. These parameters, when compared with those recorded in buffaloes suffering from reticulo-diaphragmatic hernia, revealed a significant decrease in peak systole velocity, end diastole velocity, time average maximum velocity and time averaged mean velocity of external jugular vein while the common carotid artery showed a significant decrease in volume flow only. The Doppler values of external jugular vein and common carotid artery for clinically healthy adult buffaloes would serve as a reference range for future studies.