[Comparative radiography of the respiratory tract of snakes using conventional high-resolution film-screen-system and a digital detector system].
A conventional high-resolution screen-film-system (film Kodak MIN-R S, screen Kodak MIN-R 2000) was compared to a digital detector system (Varian PaxScan 4030E) for the evaluation of the respiratory tract in snakes. Digital radiographs were taken with the same dose as well as with half the dose used for the conventional radiographs. A total of 20 Burmese pythons (Python molurus) were examined in dorsoventral and lateral projection. Four criteria (three features, one overall assessment) were defined for each of the anatomical structures lung, trachea and spinal column and assessed by five veterinarians in a semi-blinded study using a score system. Comparison of the ratings between the techniques used was done using a visual grading analysis. For the lung, two of the three features as well as the overall assessment were rated significantly superior using the digital system. The trachea was rated significantly superior using the conventional system for the overall assessment as well as for one feature. For the spinal column, the overall assessment was significantly superior using the digital system with the full dose. Conventional radiography as well as digital radiography using half the dose was rated significantly inferior for one feature each. The of the relatively low-contrast respiratory tract. A limiting factor is the demonstration of particularly small structures. Generally, a dose reduction (compared to a conventional high-resolution film-screen-system) is possible for the evaluation of the respiratory system.
Pees
Michael
M
Klinik für Vögel und Reptilien der Universität Leipzig. pees@uni-leipzig.de
Bochmann
Monika
M
Krautwald-Junghanns
Maria-Elisabeth
ME
Schmidt
Volker
V
Ludewig
Eberhard
E
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D017821:Boidae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000662:veterinary; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012911:Snakes / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014132:Trachea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018634:Veterinarians; D014965:X-Rays