Computed Tomographic Anatomy of the Thoracic Cavity Vessels in the Rayini Goat

Objectives- To provide a reference anatomy of the thoracic cavity vessels of the Rayini goat by using Computed tomography. Design- Experimented study. Animals- Five healthy Rayini goat. Procedures- Spiral CT images (with and without contrast media) were acquired from the thoracic region perpendicular to long axis of the body. CT windows were adjusted as necessary to have optimized images of the vessels. The images were studied serially and compared anatomically with two dissected goat. Results- Caudal and cranial vena cavae, descending aorta, brachiocephalic and subclavian arteries, costocervical and azygos veins, internal thoracic vessels and pulmonary trunk, arteries and veins were distinguished and addressed according to the thoracic vertebrae as landmarks. Conclusions and clinical relevance- Identification of the thoracic vessels, their precise position and related structures is important in therapeutic or experimental surgery of this region. Moreover differential diagnosis of space filled abnormalities need to know the anatomy of normal structures. This is the first study which is addressing thoracic vessels of a ruminant by using CT modality.