Using radiology and ultrasonography imaging techniques to find gastric and intestinal obstructions

A four-year-old male green iguana (Iguana iguana) was presented to the University Veterinary Hospital (UVH) of University Patra Malaysia with a history of marked reduction in activity and appetite. A solid mass was palpated at right lateral abdomen. The mass was investigated with radiography, ultrasonography and followed by exploratory laparotomy. A 2 centimeter diameter of yellowish mass with the consistency of a boiled egg yolk was found adhering to the gastric mucosa distal to the pylorus down to the duodenum. The mass was surgically removed and histopathological findings revealed an old organized blood clot. The final diagnosis was gastrointestinal foreign body obstruction due to blood clot. <20> Accession Number 20053097680 Author O'Brien, R. T. Title Imaging the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas. Source BSAVA manual of canine and feline gastroenterology; 2005. (Ed.2):22-33. 23 ref. Publisher British Small Animal Veterinary Association Location of Publisher Quedgeley Country of Publication UK <21> Accession Number 20043168864 Author Zatloukal, J.; Crha, M.; Lorenzova, J.; Husnik, R.; Kohout, P.; Necas, A. Title The comparative advantage of plain radiography in diagnosis of obstruction of the small intestine in dogs. Source Acta Veterinaria Brno; 2004. 73(3):365-374. 30 ref. Publisher University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Location of Publisher Brno Country of Publication Czech Republic Abstract A total of 53 and 66 dogs with and without small intestinal obstruction, respectively, were included into the study to determine the diagnostic yield of plain radiography for the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction compiling all radiological signs. Plain radiographs were examined by specialists in radiology, surgery and internal medicine and the differences in the evaluation by individual specialists were not statistically significant. Accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of plain radiographs in the diagnostics of small intestinal obstruction varied from 80.7, 76.8 and 88.2% to 89.1, 87.0 and 90.8%, respectively. When a radiologist determined the diagnosis to be final, accuracy and the predictive value of the final positive radiological diagnosis rose up to 96.9 and 100%, respectively. Plain radiography resulted in a high diagnostic yield in cases of simple intraluminal obstruction by a foreign body (75 to 80% of correct diagnoses) and intestinal obstruction (80 to 85%). The diagnostic yield in other causes of intestinal obstruction (linear foreign bodies, invagination, adhesions or strictures) was lower and depended mostly on the experience of the evaluating specialist. Plain radiography resulted in a correct diagnosis only in a few cases of diseases not causing small intestinal obstruction such as gastroenteritis, parvovirosis, pancreatitis and renal failure. Plain radiography, nevertheless, is of great importance for ruling out small intestinal obstruction, because it has a predictive value of negative results in 80.3 to 90.9% of cases. Considering the obtained results, we can recommend plain radiography as a simple primary diagnostic imaging method of intestinal obstruction. <22> Accession Number 20043006451 Author Papazoglou, L. G.; Patsikas, M. N.; Rallis, T. Title Intestinal foreign bodies in dogs and cats. Source Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian; 2003. 25(11):830, 832, 834836, 838-843. 42 ref. Publisher Veterinary Learning Systems Inc. Location of Publisher Trenton Country of Publication USA <23> Accession Number 19992208858 Author Neiffer, D. L. Title Clinical challenge: case 1. [Gastric outlet obstruction caused by foreign bodies in a cheetah]. Source Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine; 1999. 30(1):173-175. 21 ref. <24> Accession Number 19942207436 Author Lamb, C. R.; Hansson, K. Title Radiological identification of nonopaque intestinal foreign bodies. Source Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound; 1994. 35(2):87-88. 6 ref.