Computed tomography of the abdomen of calves during the first 105 days of life: II. Liver, spleen, and small and large intestines
2014
Braun, U. | Schnetzler, C., Universitaet Zuerich, Zuerich (Switzerland). Departement fuer Nutztiere | Augsburger, H. | Müller, U. | Dicht, S. | Ohlerth, S.
Computed tomography (CT) fi ndings of the liver, spleen and intestines of fi ve healthy calves during six examinations in the fi rst 105 days of life were compared with corresponding cadaver slices. The liver was located in the right hemiabdomen adjacent to the diaphragm and right abdominal wall. The caudal vena cava was seen dorsomedially and the portal vein further ventrally. The umbilical vein was seen running from the navel to the liver in all calves in the fi rst scan and in four calves in the second scan. The spleen ran dorsoventrally adjacent to the costal part of the left abdominal wall and appeared sickle-shaped on transverse images. Differentiation of small and large intestines was only possible when the former contained fl uid content and the latter gaseous content. The small intestine was in the left hemiabdomen dorsal to the abomasum and caudodorsal to the rumen at the fi rst two examinations. Growth of the forestomachs caused displacement of the small intestine to the right and toward the ventral abdomen caudal to the liver and adjacent to the right abdominal wall. The large intestine was located caudodorsally, and the typical features of the spiral colon were apparent in the dorsal plane. The location of the caecum varied from dorsal to the spiral colon to adjacent to the right abdominal wall with the apex always pointing caudally. The rectum was easily identifi ed in the pelvic region. The size, volume and density of the described organs throughout the study are shown in several tables.
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