title: Use of the bolus tracking technique for the tomographic evaluation of the uretero-vesicular junction in dogs and assessment of dose records.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the work is the application of a bolus tracking technique for tomographic evaluation of the uretero-vesicular junction in dogs. Ten adult dogs (8-14 years) with variable body weight (2,8-32 kg) were enrolled in the prospective study. The patients were placed in sternal recumbency with a 10° elevated pelvis and the visualization of the uretero-vesicular junction was obtained with the bolus tracking technique after intravenous administration of non-ionic contrast medium. In the post-contrast late phase a region of interest was placed within the lumen of the distal ureters and the density values were monitored before starting the helical scan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The uretero-vesicular junction was clearly visible in 100% of patients with the visualization of the endoluminal ureteral contrast enhancement and bladder washout. At the end of the tomographic study an evaluation of the dose records was performed and compared to human exposures reported in literature for the pelvic region. The effective dose estimated for each patient (37,5-138 mSv) proved to be elevated, when compared to those reported in human patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The bolus tracking technique could be applied for the visualization of the uretero-vesicular junction in non-pathological patients, placing the region of interest in the distal ureters. The high effective doses recorded in our study support the need of specific thresholds for veterinary patients, pointing out the attention for paediatric patient's exposure also in veterinary imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Ospedale Didattico Universitario Az. Polo Veterinario di Lodi, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, LO, Italy. maurizio.longo@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Ospedale Didattico Universitario Az. Polo Veterinario di Lodi, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, LO, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Andreis
authors.affiliation: Medical Physics Unit, S.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pettinato
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Ospedale Didattico Universitario Az. Polo Veterinario di Lodi, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, LO, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ravasio
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Ospedale Didattico Universitario Az. Polo Veterinario di Lodi, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, LO, Italy.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rabbogliatti
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Ospedale Didattico Universitario Az. Polo Veterinario di Lodi, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, LO, Italy.
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Zani
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Ospedale Didattico Universitario Az. Polo Veterinario di Lodi, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, LO, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Giancamillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Ospedale Didattico Universitario Az. Polo Veterinario di Lodi, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, LO, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide Danilo
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Zani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary*; D014513:Ureter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014567:Urography / Q000662:veterinary*; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: CTDI; DLP; bolus tracking; ureter; uretero-vesicular junction; uro-CT