Abdominal Ultrasound
Clinical Indication:
Evaluation of chronic vomiting and suspected foreign body in a 5-year-old neutered male Labrador Retriever named 'Buddy'.
Technique:
Transabdominal ultrasound performed with the patient in dorsal recumbency. A 7.5 MHz linear transducer and a 5.0 MHz curvilinear transducer were used to evaluate all abdominal organs systematically. Clip and prep with alcohol and ultrasound gel.
Liver:
Normal size and echogenicity. No focal lesions or evidence of cholelithiasis. Portal and hepatic vasculature appear normal.
Spleen:
Normal size, homogeneous echotexture. No focal lesions or evidence of splenomegaly.
Kidneys:
Right kidney measures 4.5 cm, left kidney measures 4.7 cm. Both kidneys have normal reniform shape, good corticomedullary differentiation, and no evidence of hydronephrosis or nephroliths. Perirenal fat appears unremarkable.
Adrenal Glands:
Both adrenal glands are visualised and appear normal in size and echogenicity (right adrenal 0.4 cm, left adrenal 0.35 cm).
Bladder:
Moderately distended with anechoic urine. Wall thickness is normal. No uroliths or masses identified within the lumen. Mild sediment noted.
Gastrointestinal Tract:
Stomach appears normal. Duodenum wall thickness mildly increased (0.4 cm) with subjective loss of layering. Jejunum and ileum appear within normal limits for wall thickness and peristalsis. No discrete foreign body identified, but diffuse inflammation of the proximal small intestine is noted. No intussusception.
Pancreas:
Normal size and echogenicity. No evidence of pancreatic masses or peripancreatic fluid accumulation. Pancreatic duct not dilated.
Lymph Nodes:
Mesenteric lymph nodes are mildly enlarged (up to 0.7 cm short axis), hypoechoic, and retain normal architecture, consistent with reactive changes.
Other Findings:
Small volume of free anechoic peritoneal fluid noted around the caudal pole of the spleen and near the bladder.
Findings:
Diffuse mild duodenal thickening with loss of layering, mildly enlarged reactive mesenteric lymph nodes, and a small amount of free abdominal fluid. No discrete foreign body or mass identified.
Conclusions / Recommendations:
Findings are consistent with diffuse enteritis. Recommend further diagnostics including bloodwork (CBC, biochemistry, cPLI), urinalysis, and potentially a trial of dietary management and anti-inflammatories. Re-evaluate if clinical signs persist or worsen. Consider endoscopic biopsies if no improvement.