MiniVet Guide Infographics I

SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO X-RAYS

1. KEY POINTS 2. DETERMINING WHICH LATERAL
Evaluation of an x-ray Right lateral Left lateral
1. Systematic approach • crura of the diaphragm run • crura of the diaphragm merge
2. Determine if an abnormality exists in parallel (a) at the level of caudal vena cava (e)

3. Describe the abnormality according to its roentgen signs: • caudal vena cava appears • caudal vena cava appears to go
to merge out of the crura (b) past the crura (f)
(size) variation in organ size
(shape) variation in structure shape • stomach not superimposed • stomach can be superimposed
(location) alteration from normal position by itself or by something else with the crura (c) with the crura (g)
(number) variation in structure/organ number • soft tissue/fluid opacity • gas opacity in the pylorus (h)
(margin) alteration in margin clarity in the pylorus (d)
(opacity) alteration in structure/organ opacity
R L
4. Consider the list of differentials for the described abnormality

g
Opacity
a c
• determined by the physical density, anatomic number & thickness of the tissue f
b e

gas fat soft tissue mineral metal

(air) (water/fluid) (bone)
d h

3. INTERPRETATION PARADIGM – THORACIC ANATOMY

Systematic review of structures
1. Positioning / coning / exposure
R VD 4
2. Subcutaneous structures
7
3. Abdominal structures 4
6 2 2
4. Skeletal structures 11
4 8
5. Diaphragm 9
6 6
13
6. Pleural space 7 c 5 3
7. Trachea 4 12 4
a 8 10
8. Cranial mediastinum
11
9. Aorta b 12
10 9 13
10. Caudal vena cava 13
6 13
11. Lymph nodes (cranial mediastinal [a], 5
sternal [b], tracheobronchial [c]) 2
4 2 3
12. Heart
13. Pulmonary vasculature

4. INTERPRETATION PARADIGM – ABDOMINAL ANATOMY

Systematic review of structures
1. Positioning / coning / exposure R VD 3
2. Subcutaneous structures
3. Thoracic structures 4
6 11 6
4
4. Skeletal structures
13 7 4
5. Serosal detail 15 8
12 12
3 11 10 12
6. Liver
12 7
7. Kidneys 9 7 4 7
5
8. Spleen 12
5
9. Bladder 14
6 5
10. Prostate
2 2 13 2
11. Stomach 9 12
8
12. Large intestine 5
4 4
13. Duodenum
2 10
14. Small intestine
15. Sublumbar lymph nodes

MiniVet Guide by Dr Gerardo Poli | Illustrations © Diogo Guerra, medical illustrator