Transcutaneous ultrasonographic examination of the left kidney in healthy cows

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a new technique for transcutaneous ultrasonographic imaging coupled with transrectal manoeuvering for the examination of the left kidney using 10 clinically healthy Jersey/Red Sindhi crossbred cows. The areas extending caudally from the tuber-coxae, cranially up to the 11th intercostal space, dorsally from the lumbar transverse processes, and ventrally up to the midflank on both sides (left and right) were shaved. The transducer was placed in the right and left paralumbar fossae, the 3rd (between vertebrae L3 and L4) and the 4th (between vertebrae L4 and L5) lumbar spaces, respectively. For transrectal manoeuvring of the left kidney, the arm was inserted in to the rectum beyond the elbow to palpate and push the left kidney gently towards the right abdominal wall. The left kidney was imaged in its entirety from the right paralumbar fossa in all of the cows. However, it could not be imaged with clarity without a gentle transrectal push towards the right abdominal wall at the time of imaging. The left kidney was also imaged via the 3rd (between vertebrae L3 and L4) and the 4th (between vertebrae L4 and L5) lumbar spaces in only eight of 10 cows, but the quality of imaging was poor in comparison to the transflank imaging. Moreover, in four of ten cows, the right and left kidneys were imaged together in one ultrasonographic image. On the basis of our results we consider transcutaneous ultrasonography, simultaneously supported with transrectal manoeuvring, to be suitable for evaluation of the left kidney in cows. The findings reported in this study may be of assistance to veterinary surgeons by providing a basis for use in clinical procedures such as transcutaneous ultrasonography-guided renal biopsies.