title: Imaging abdominal masses.
abstract: Both radiography and ultrasound provide noninvasive imaging of suspected abdominal masses with minimal discomfort or risk for the geriatric patient. Radiography is more readily available and less expensive than ultrasonography, but contrast resolution is poor. Displacement of adjacent structures and addition of special contrast studies will provide clues to the possible organ of origin and extent of suspected abdominal masses. Cystic lesions can be differentiated from solid masses with ultrasound, but the appearance of focal abnormalities is not specific for any one disease process. Abdominal ultrasonography often provides the best diagnostic yield when used in combination with radiography and image-guided biopsy techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miles
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004285:Dogs; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary