title: [The use of ultrasonic examination for the diagnosis of diseases of the locomotor system in cattle].
abstract: Besides the classical orthopedic examination, radiography and centesis of diseased synovial cavities ultrasonography was applied, for the first time, in 18 cattle for the investigation of proximal bovine limb disorders. The clinical and radiographic findings as well as the results of centesis were compared with the sonographic findings. Arthritis, tenosynovitis, bursitis, abscess formation and haematomas especially in proximal limb regions were observed. A 7,5 MHz linear-scan or a 5 MHz sector-scan were used for ultrasonic examination. By means of radiography, 8 out of 14 cattle showed a soft tissue swelling, whereas specific radiographic findings could only be determined in those cases with affection of joints and bones. The sonographic examination produced more information than radiography when only soft tissues and joints were affected. As a complimentary tool to the classical examination of locomotory system disorders in cattle, sonography provided accurate preoperative details of the extent and character of fluid accumulations and soft tissue swellings. It helped to differentiate rapidly and on a non-invasive basis between affected structures and any subtle defects in neighbouring tissues, it enabled a more accurate centesis of evident fluid filled areas of synovial cavities or other swellings, and revealed much more information than often insufficiently depicted on radiographs. Sonography was, therefore, the imaging method of choice to differentiate pathologic involvement of soft tissue structures in bovine limbs.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Orthopädie bei Huf-und Klauentieren, Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kofler
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D001168:Arthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D002062:Bursitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D013717:Tenosynovitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D014463:Ultrasonography