Philippine E-Journals

Comparative Ultrasound Features And Echo Histograms Of The Spleen In Female Goats (Capra hircus), Sheep (Ovis aries) And Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Jezie A. Acorda | Maya N. Ancheta | Maria Adena J. Detera | Lyn A. Cabrera | Rhea L. Maligaya

Discipline: Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science

 

Abstract:

The ultrasound features of the spleen of eight 1-3 years old female goats, eight 1-4 years old female sheep and six 5-16 years old female buffaloes were determined ultrasonographically using an ultrasound diagnostic equipment with a 3.5 MHz convex-array transducer. After ultrasonography, the animals were immediately slaughtered and the spleen was examined grossly and microscopically. Measurements of the spleen were conducted during ultrasonography and gross examination. Echo histogram analysis of splenic ultrasonograms was conducted. The spleen could be viewed ultrasonographically in the dorsal aspect of the left flank at the region of the 10th to 12th intercostal spaces in all animals. The location of the spleen in vivo conforms to the location of the spleen after slaughter. The ultrasonographic features of the spleen include the highly echogenic splenic capsule, the homogenous slightly hyperechoic parenchyma and the anechoic splenic vessels with hyperechoic walls. No significant differences were observed in the measurement of the thickness of the spleen using gross measurement and ultrasonography. Echo histogram analysis of splenic ultrasonograms showed higher echo means in buffaloes than in goats and sheep. Gross and microscopic examinations revealed no abnormalities in the spleen. The ultrasonographic features and echo means obtained in this study from normal spleen may be helpful as reference for ultrasonic diagnosis of diseases and disorders of the spleen in ruminants.