Ultrasound is the imaging test of choice for renal evaluation, because it provides information about the position, size, shape, internal architecture and hemodynamics of the kidneys without harming the patient. In chronic kidney disease, the main findings observed in B-mode ultrasound images are increased cortical echogenicity, loss of corticomedullary differentiation, reduced renal volume and irregular renal contour, and when these changes are associated, they are indicative of end-stage renal disease. However, the cause of kidney disease cannot be determined by ultrasonography, but must be confirmed by means of biopsy, although the presence of ultrasonographic changes indicative of the end-stage of the disease may contraindicate this procedure. The Doppler ultrasound test complements the ultrasonic B-mode examination and enables the assessment of renal perfusion based on a calculation of the hemodynamic indices, which are increased in cases of chronic kidney lesions, with higher values ​​in the most severe cases. Thus, ultrasound examinations are not only useful in diagnostics but also play an important role in defining the prognosis of patients with chronic kidney disease.

BackgroundThe use of ultrasound in veterinary medicine is widespread as a diagnostic supplement in the clinical routine of small animals, but there are few reports in wild animals. The objective of this study was to describe the anatomy, topography and abdominal sonographic features of coatis.ResultsThe urinary bladder wall measured 0.11 ± 0.03 cm. The symmetrical kidneys were in the left and right cranial quadrant of the abdomen and the cortical, medullary and renal pelvis regions were recognized and in all sections. The medullary rim sign was visualized in the left kidney of two coatis. The liver had homogeneous texture and was in the cranial abdomen under the rib cage. The gallbladder, rounded and filled with anechoic content was visualized in all coatis, to the right of the midline. The spleen was identified in the left cranial abdomen following the greater curvature of the stomach. The parenchyma was homogeneous and hyperechogenic compared to the liver and kidney cortex. The stomach was in the cranial abdomen, limited cranially by the liver and caudo-laterally by the spleen. The left adrenal glands of five coatis were seen in the cranial pole of the left kidney showing hypoechogenic parenchyma without distinction of cortex and medulla. The pancreas was visualized in only two coatis. The left ovary (0.92 cm x 0.56 cm) was visualized on a single coati in the caudal pole of the kidney. The uterus, right adrenal, right ovary and intestines were not visualized.ConclusionsUltrasound examination of the abdomen of coatis may be accomplished by following the recommendations for dogs and cats. It is possible to evaluate the anatomical and topographical relationships of the abdominal organs together with the knowledge of the peculiarities of parenchymal echogenicity and echotexture of the viscera.

BackgroundUltrasonography can be used anywhere and allows rapid, noninvasive differentiation of soft tissue structures of the musculoskeletal system. The objectives of this study were to describe the ultrasonographic appearance of the structures of the metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal and the interphalangeal joints, the appearance of the growth plates of the distal metacarpus/metatarsus and of the proximal phalanx and to measure the cross-sectional dimensions of the DDFT and SDFT in Nellore and Girolando calves eight to 12 months of age.ResultsIn the longitudinal dorsal view the common digital extensor tendon and the digital extensor tendon were depicted as echogenic parallel fiber bundles located directly under the skin. The joint spaces appeared as anechoic interruptions of the hyperechogenic bone surfaces. The normal amount of synovial fluid could not be depicted. The growth plates were seen as anechoic interruptions of the bone surface proximal and distal to the fetlock joint space. In transverse sonograms of the distal palmar/plantar regions, the flexor tendons and branchs of the suspensory ligament were imaged as echogenic structures. The lumen of the digital flexor tendon sheath could not be imaged in these normal cattle. The thin digital distal annular ligament and the reversal of positions of the DDFT and SDFT could be appreciated. No significant differences were found between the cross-sectional measurements of the DDFT and the SDFT from Nellore and Girolando in any age, thoracic/pelvic limbs, right/left sides and lateral/medial digits.ConclusionsThe results of this study establish important ultrasonographic reference data of the normal structures of the distal limbs and the normal dimensions of the flexor tendons in Nellore and Girolando calves for use in clinical practice.

RESUMO A ultrassonografia Doppler é uma ferramenta importante no estudo do mapeamento de fluxo em várias lesões. Com o objetivo de apresentar essa técnica para o estudo de pequenos vasos e microcirculação na medicina veterinária, esta revisão discorre sobre a matéria. Com este artigo de revisão são tecidas informações relativas aos princípios físicos, métodos de exibição, interpretação da imagem, possíveis artefatos e algumas das aplicações da ultrassonografia Doppler no exame de pequenos vasos e microcirculação.

RESUMOA lesão renal aguda resulta principalmente da ação de agentes nefotóicos e de isquemia renal, que geralmente afetam a porção tubular do néfron. A detecção precoce da lesão renal aguda permite a intervenção apropriada podendo prevenir ou atenuar o dano à célula tubular e o desenvolvimento da insuficiência renal aguda. O diagnóstico requer a associação de técnicas, sendo eficaz o emprego do exame ultrassonográfico associado aos exames laboratoriais. A ultrassonografia permite a avaliação da morfologia e da ecogenicidade renal por meio do exame em modo bidimensional e da hemodinâmica renal por meio da avaliação com o Doppler pulsado pelo cálculo dos índices de resistividade e pulsabilidade. As principais alterações ultrassonográficas da lesão tubular aguda são nefromegalia, aumento ou redução da ecogenicidade cortical, dilatação da pelve renal, efusão perirrenal, sinal de margem medular e aumento dos índices de resistividade e pulsabilidade. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: ecografia, índice de pulsabilidade, índice de resistividade, lesão renal aguda ACUTE TUBULAR KIDNEY INJURY IN DOGS AND CATS: PHYSIOPATHOGENY AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSISABSTRACT Acute kidney injury resulting from toxic or ischemic insults and usually affect the tubular portion of the nephron. Early detection allows the acute kidney injury appropriate intervention may prevent or mitigate damage to the tubular cell and the development of acute renal failure. Diagnosis requires a combination of techniques, and be effective employment ultrasonography associated with laboratory tests. Ultrasound allows assessment of morphology and renal echogenicity by taking on bidimensional mode and renal hemodynamics through the assessment with pulsed Doppler with the calculation of resistivity and pulsatility indices. The main ultrasound changes of acute tubular injury are nefromegalia, cortical echogenicity increase or