Computed Tomographic Anatomy and Topography of the Lower Respiratory System of the Southern White-Breasted Hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor)

Objective- The aim of this study was preparing detailed anatomic images of the thoracic cavity of the southern white-breasted hedgehog using the non-invasive computed tomography (CT) technique.Design- Descriptive study.Animals- Five southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) which is a species native to the Middle East, Anatolia, Transcaucasia, and Iran. Since some people keep this animal as a domestic pet, their attendance at veterinary clinics is increasing. Procedures- Five cases were examined with CT scan. Each hedgehog was anesthetized and positioned in ventral recumbency, and all scans were obtained on a two-detector scanner (Siemens Somatom Spirit) vertical to the longitudinal axes of the animal. After CT examination, the animals were euthanized to evaluate the anatomical structure of the thoracic cavity. Air was injected at the proximal part of the trachea to evaluate the structure of the lungs and trachea. CT images were compared with the dissected cases and were labeled according to anatomic assessment. Results- Anatomic sections were studied and identified anatomic structures were matched with structures on corresponding CT images. Except for some blood vessels and details of the heart, most of the bony and soft tissue structures of the thorax discerned on anatomic slices could be found on matched CT images.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance- The CT images from this study are intended as a reference for clinical CT imaging studies of the thoracic cavity of the southern white-breasted hedgehog and for interpreting lesions of the thorax and associated structures.