VTH
Hospitals
VMRCVM
Diagnostic Imaging
Diagnostic Imaging Services
The Horace E. and Elizabeth F. Alphin
Radiology Center provides diagnostic imaging services for the Veterinary Teaching Hospital for all species of
animals. Diagnostic imaging enables radiologists to visualize the internal organs and skeletal system using
the following noninvasive techniques:
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Diagnostic Imaging Faculty
Don L. Barber, DVM, MS, DACVR
Gregory B. Daniel, DVM, MS, DACVR
Jeryl C. Jones, DVM, PhD, DACVR
Martha M. Larson, DVM, MS, DACVR
A. Reid Tyson III, DVM, DACVR
Sarah Davies, BVSc, Radiology Resident
Christopher Ober, DVM, Radiology Resident
Computed Tomography
Computed Tomography (CT) provides
high-resolution cross-sectional anatomical images. Patients are placed on the CT table while under anesthesia.
The table moves through a circular opening in the CT scanner called the gantry, while an x-ray tube
emits x-rays as it spins 360 degrees inside the gantry. A detector array measures the amount of x-rays
that pass through the anatomic part and cross-sectional images are generated from the data.
Computed Tomography is used for diagnosing abnormalities of the brain, nasal passages, musculo-skeletal system, spine, abdomen, lung, and mediastinum.
The Computed Tomography service consists of a Picker Spiral CT Scanner that is linked to a Picker Voxel-Q workstation and laser imager. CT images are stored as hardcopy on laser film and on computer grade cartridge tapes. The Voxel-Q workstation is used to manipulate the CT data to make 2D, 3D, and multiplanar reconstructions to give radiologists more information regarding the extent of a patient’s disease. A large animal CT table, which attaches to the regular CT couch, also allows imaging of animals weighing up to 2000 lbs.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
uses magnetic fields and radio waves to diagnose diseases and injury of soft tissue. It is the most
sensitive test for brain and spinal cord diseases and injuries since it can show even the most
subtle abnormalities. When placed in the MRI unit, the atoms comprising soft tissue align with
the magnetic field. The radio waves pulsed into the field then alter the atoms causing signals
to be released and transmitted to a computer. The signals will increase in abnormal tissue and
will show up as either very white or very dark areas in the computer image.
MRI is most commonly used for diagnosing abnormalities of the brain, spinal cord, and musculoskeletal system.
The MRI service consists of a Universal Medical Systems VetMR scanner that is linked to the hospital's picture archiving and retrieval system (PACS). The scanner can accomodate animals weighing up to 200 lbs.
Digital Fluoroscopy
Small animal patients
requiring such special procedures as angiography, venography, or cardiac fluoroscopy are put under
general anesthesia and their studies are done on the digital fluoroscopic unit. Digital images are
acquired at a rate of 1-8 frames per second and are printed on laser film. Special features for
vascular studies include subtraction, road mapping, and edge enhancement. This fluoroscopic unit
is also used for myelography, contrast GI tract studies, and small animal general diagnostic imaging.
Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine service
offers bone, renal GFR, thyroid, liver/spleen, hepatobiliary, lung, brain, and portal scans for small
animal patients. Bone scans are the primary nuclear medicine scan requested for large animal patients.
The gamma camera is mounted on a stacker crane assembly to allow easy movement for both small
and large animal patient scanning positions.
Large Animal Radiology
The Large Animal
radiographic room has two x-ray tubes, one free floating and one attached to a chest bucky with
automatic exposure control. Radiographs of the head, neck, spine, thorax, pelvis, and extremities
are easily attainable. Both tubes will descend to the floor to allow standing radiographs of the
lower extremity to be taken.
A Min-X-ray portable radiographic unit is used to radiograph equine feet to tarsus in the radiographic room and in the barns. A large animal radiographic table is used for patients under general anesthesia.
Small Animal Radiology
The Radiology
Center has two small animal radiographic rooms with a Siemens Multix Pro P electronic tomography
unit and a digital fluoroscopy unit. The Siemens Multix Prop P features a high-low table, allowing
large dogs to be moved to the radiographic table easily. This radiographic table of this unit has
a 500 lb weight limit, which allows radiographic exams of the thorax and abdomen to be done on
small foals, calves, and crias. The electronic tomography feature replaces the older linear technology.
Small animal patients requiring radiographs of body parts such as thorax or abdomen are generally radiographed without sedation. Radiographs of body parts such as spine, pelvis, or extremities require sedation; radiographs of the head require general anesthesia. Contrast procedures such as esophagrams, myelograms, and fluoroscopy of the trachea are done in the digital fluoroscopic room.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses sound waves
to provide a non-invasive image of the abdominal and thoracic organs. Sound waves sent into the body are
reflected off of an internal tissue interface. Hundreds of these reflected signals provide an image of
the organ, which can be visualized on the ultrasound machine monitor.
Abnormalities of these organs can be seen, and in some cases, biopsied using ultrasound guidance. The heart can also be imaged easily with ultrasound (echocardiography). Both congenital and acquired heart defects in animal patients can be diagnosed, allowing early surgical or medical treatment. Although the thorax and abdomen are imaged most frequently with ultrasound, other areas, such as the eyes, brain, and tendons, can also be examined. Because ultrasound examination is painless, most patients require no sedation or anesthesia, and tolerate the procedure, well.
The ultrasound service consists of an Acuson Sequoia 512 unit, which is used for both large and small animal patients.
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