The information is collected from the internet, books, literature and publications. The illustrations have been collected from various sources. This topic describes about the interpretation of radiographs and the points borne in mind before approach to interpretation.The presence of an obvious abnormality that distracts the evaluator from systematic evaluation of the rest of the radiograph Discovery of a lesion that answers the clinical question that prompted the radiographic examination, thereby distracting the evaluator Tunnel vision, which is a preconception of what will be found, so that when the preconception is confirmed, viewing of the radiograph ends Failure to adopt a systematic approach.A, Dorsoventral radiograph of a 10-year-old Labrador retriever. The caudal aspect of the heart is in contact with the diaphragm, and the diaphragm has a domed appearance. Gas is present in the fundus of the stomach because the fundus is more dorsally located when the dog is in sternal recumbency. The caudal lobe pulmonary vessels are readily visible. B, Dorsoventral radiograph of a 12-year-old mixed breed dog. The cranially located diaphragmatic dome is resulting in leftward displacement of the heart. The heart position is typically more variable in dorsoventral view. Left lateral (A) and right lateral (B), radiographs of an 11-year-old boxer with a mass in the right middle lung lobe (arrows). The mass is more dorsal on the right lateral view, illustrating the amount of anatomic shift that occurs due to recumbency. Both normal structures and pulmonary lesions are typically more dorsally located when in the dependent lung. This is due to reduced lung expansion in the dependent hemithorax. This phenomenon can be used to help assess the laterality of focal pulmonary lesions if they are not seen clearly in ventrodorsal or dorsoventral .Ventrodorsal radiograph shows severe cardiomegaly and severe alveolar infiltrate in the caudal lung fields, extending into the cranial lobes.  Infiltrate is worse on the left side.  Note the presence of air bronchograms (arrows) and an air-filled stomach (s). B, Dorsoventral radiograph of a 15-year-old Labrador retriever. In B1, the caudal lobar pulmonary arteries and left vein have been outlined (white dots). The dotted black lines are the margins of the caudal vena cava. In this dog, the right caudal lobar vein is difficult to see as a result of superimposition with the caudal vena cava. A pleural fissure line between the caudal aspect of the right middle and cranial aspect of the right caudal lung lobes is present (solid white arrow). C, Schematic of vessels as they cross the ninth rib. Each caudal lobar pulmonary artery and pulmonary vein should be approximately the same relative size; in the dog, the absolute size should be similar to the width of the ninth rib at the point at which they intersect. Sodium iothalamate (70% W/V) 2-3ml/kg in small ruminants and 0.5ml/kg in large ruminants Bolus tech: inj. Total calculat

1. INTERPRETATION OF
RADIOGRAPHS
Dr. Rekha Pathak
Dept.of Surgery and Radiology

2. Basic Concepts of Interpretation of
radiographs
 The radiographic
image is a two-
dimensional
representation of a
three-dimensional
body part
 Characteristic
radiographic
appearance that is
dependent upon its
thickness, form,
and atomic number

4. Air Fat Soft Tissue Bone Surgical Pin
Radiolucent <–––––––––––––––––––––––––
Radiopaque
Tissue/object
Effective
atomic
number
Physical
density
(specific
gravity)
Gas 1-2 0.001
Fat 6-7 0.9
Soft
tissue/fluid
7-8 1
Bone 14 1.8
Metal (lead) 82 11.3
RELATIVE RADIODENSITIES

6.  The image is a
summation of
anatomic shadows.
 . Interpretation of
radiographs requires
imagination and logical
analysis.
 Radiographic
interpretation is based
on the visualisation
and analysis of
opacities on a
radiograph.

7. Object and its position relative to
the film and x-ray beam
Metatarsal shaft
Radiographs of an ink bottle with applicator brush in two views perpendicular to one another

8. Anteroposterior and lateral views of a distal fibular fracture.

9. in different position (A) flat, (B) oblique and (C) on its edge
Radiographic appearances of a coin
A B C

10. Radiologic interpretation
 Viewing the radiograph
 Three-dimensional concept
 Routine assessment of radiographs
 Every shadow visible must be
evaluated

11. Evaluating the radiographs
 Determine whether
an abnormality
exists
 Define the anatomic
location of the
abnormality
 Classify the
abnormality
according to its
roentgen signs

12.  Make a list of
differential
diagnosis by
considering what
diseases could
cause the observed
roentgen signs

13. Description of radiologic
abnormalities (roentgen signs)
 Changes in size of an
organ or structure
 Variation in contour
or shape
 Variation in number
of organs
 Change in position of
an organ or structure

14. Alteration in opacity of
an organ or structure
Alteration in the
architectural pattern of
an organ or structure
periosteal proliferation involving
metacarpal, radius and ulna.
Soft tissue swelling.
No joint involvement.

15.  Alteration in the normal function of an
organ (fluoroscopy)

16. Other clues
 The silhouette effect
– This principle is based on the fact that
when two structures of the same
radiopacity are in contact, their
individual margins at the point of
contact cannot be distinguished.
 The liver and stomach
 A coronary artery and a small pulmonary
artery

17.  Importance of a contrasting substance
Contrast filling defect in gastric neoplasm

18. Barium series
 Structural and functional status of GIT
 Barium – granuloma formation – avoided in
rupture of stomach or intestines –
suspected
 Diagnoses GIT obstruction, stenosis,
diverticulum, mucosal diseases etc

19.  Calves , sheep and goats
 Fasted for 36 hrs and water withheld for 12
hrs
 0.5kg of MgSO4- 24hrs before the study
 100g of activated charcoal- orally 12 hrs- to
clear GIT of gas

20.  Enema- 3hrs before the study
 Orally 70% w/v barium sulphate, 15-20% in
dogs
25-30ml/kg and 6-12ml/kg respectively
(laxatives are not required in dogs)
Obtain lateral and VD projections
Upto caecum- 4hrs, colon – 6-8 hrs

21. Oesophageography
 Obtain a survey RG- slowly adm. the
contrast agent creamy barium
sulphate in water) 1-2ml/kg bw
 As the last swallow is administered a
lateral RG is made for
esophagiography

22.  Mucosal folds – if no obs – appear as linear
streaks-quickly cleared into stomach
 If obs. – accumulated cranial to the obs
 Outpouch as diverticulum
 Oesophageal dilatation

23. IVP Intravenous pyelography
 Contrast radiograpic
examination of the kidneys
and ureters – intravenous –
positive contrast
 Water soluble iodine based
agents – excreted through
urine, outlines the UTract

24.  Rough index of
kidney function-
should not be used
in dehydrated
patients

25.  Prepare as above – for
barium series
 Pneumoperitoneum in
ruminants - negative
contrast in the
background of positive
contrast in u. tract-
exposure factors are
reduced

26.  Bolus technique(low
vol. rapid infusion)/
drip technique(high
vol. drip infusion) to
administer water
sol. Iodine based
contrast agents
 Sodium tri-iodinated
organic cpds are
generally
recommended

27.  Sodium iothalamate
(70% W/V)
 2-3ml/kg in small
ruminants and
0.5ml/kg in large
ruminants

28.  Bolus tech: inj.
Total calculated
dose as a bolus
injection
 Drip: 23% sol of
agent in NSS – over
a period of 10 min.

29.  Obtain standing
rt.lateral RG-
immediately after
completion of
injection
 Dogs, sheep and
calves, VD also
 A 10 min.RG- shows
both kidneys and
ureters
 20 min - UB

31. Pitfalls in interpretation
 The presence of an obvious abnormality
that distracts the evaluator from
systematic evaluation of the rest of the
radiograph
 Discovery of a lesion that answers the
clinical question that prompted the
radiographic examination, thereby
distracting the evaluator

32.  Tunnel vision, which is a preconception of
what will be found, so that when the
preconception is confirmed, viewing of the
radiograph ends
 Failure to adopt a systematic approach

33. NORMAL THROAX

34. Normal thorax

35. CARDIAC ENLARGEMENT ?

36. VERTEBRAL HEART SCALE (VHS)
Long axis=6V Short axis=5V
VHS=6+5=11
Normal Range = 9.5-11.0
This size,11.0 vertebrae, was considered to be at the
high end of the normal range for an athletically active
whippet.

37. Inferior VC
Superior VC
Right PA
left PA
PA
Pulmonary
Veins

42. Left lateral (A) and right
lateral (B), radiographs of an 11-year-old
boxer with a mass in the right middle lung
lobe (arrows). The mass is more dorsal on the
right lateral view, illustrating the amount of
anatomic shift that occurs due to recumbency.
Both normal structures and pulmonary lesions
are typically more dorsally located when in the
dependent lung. This is due to reduced lung
expansion in the dependent hemithorax. This
phenomenon can be used to help assess the
laterality of focal pulmonary lesions if they are
not seen clearly in ventrodorsal or dorsoventral
view.

43. A, Dorsoventral radiograph of a 10-year-old Labrador retriever. The caudal
aspect of the heart is in contact with the diaphragm, and the diaphragm has
a domed appearance. Gas is present in the fundus of the stomach because
the fundus is more dorsally located when the dog is in sternal recumbency.
The caudal lobe pulmonary vessels are readily visible. B, Dorsoventral
radiograph of a 12-year-old mixed breed dog. The cranially located
diaphragmatic dome is resulting in leftward displacement of the heart. The
heart position is typically more variable in dorsoventral view.

45. A, Dorsoventral
radiograph of an 11-
year-old American
Cocker Spaniel. In A1,
the caudal lobar
vessels have been
outlined (white
dots). Each caudal
lobe artery is lateral to
the respective vein. In
this dog, the right
caudal lobar vein can
be readily identified,
superimposed over the
caudal vena
cava (black dots).

46. B, Dorsoventral
radiograph of a 15-
year-old Labrador
retriever. In B1, the
caudal lobar pulmonary
arteries and left vein
have been
outlined (white
dots). The dotted black
lines are the margins of
the caudal vena cava.
In this dog, the right
caudal lobar vein is
difficult to see as a
result of
superimposition with
the caudal vena cava. A
pleural fissure line
between the caudal
aspect of the right
middle and cranial
aspect of the right
caudal lung lobes is
present (solid white
arrow).
C, Schematic of vessels as they cross the ninth rib.
Each caudal lobar pulmonary artery and
pulmonary vein should be approximately the same
relative size; in the dog, the absolute size should
be similar to the width of the ninth rib at the point
at which they intersect.

49. Radiopaque organs-
liver/spleen – displacing
normal thoracic viscera in
DH

55. The heart is grossly enlarged, especially the left atrium.
The pulmonary veins are larger than the arteries. This dog
is suffering from Mitral Dysplasia.

56. Ventrodorsal
radiograph shows
severe
cardiomegaly and
severe alveolar
infiltrate in the
caudal lung fields,
extending into the
cranial
lobes. Infiltrate is
worse on the left
side. Note the
presence of air
bronchograms
(arrows) and an
air-filled stomach

57. METASTATIC PULMONARY DISEASE

58. FUNGAL INFECTIONS
Thoracic blastomycosis, radiographic pattern, dog

59. HEARTWORM DISEASE

60. Increased opacity around carina which suggests
enlargement of hilar lymph nodes

61. MEGAOESOPHAGUS

62. Barium in upper GI tract

63. NORMAL RADIOGRAPH OF FELINE ABDOMEN

64. Bloat

65. Bloat

66. Impacted bowel

67. Ascitis

68. Barium Study Lower G.I Tract

69. Barium study of same case

70. Bladder stones

72. URETHRAL TRANSITIONAL CELL CARCINOMA
WITH METASTASIS TO LOCAL LYMPH NODES
AND PELVIS

73. This is a radiograph of a kitten's intestines following
barium administration. The lucent, linear structures
outlined by the barium are roundworms

74. RENAL ENLARGEMENT

75. entrodorsal radiograph of a canine pelvis
wing radiographically normal coxofemoral
ts
hip dysplasia

76. Dislocated hip

77. Arthritic Hip

78. Arthritic spine

79. PRIMARY AND METASTATIC
OSTEOSARCOMA

80. SPOON
BOTTLE CAP
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