Ultrasonography of normal reticulum in 30 healthy buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Abstract

Reticulum is incriminated in most cases of gastrointestinal disturbances in bovines and should be firstly examined. The aim of the present study was to assess ultrasonographic appearance and relation of reticulum to its surrounding in a normal buffalo (N 030). Sonographic examination was performed in a standing nonsedated buffalo using 3.5-MHz convex transducer. B and M modes of display were used for examination. Reticulum appeared as a half-moon-shaped structure with a smooth contour; it could be easily accessed from the left and right ventral thoracic region than from midline. Biphasic contraction was recorded in all examined buffalo while only four animals had a triphasic contraction. Four to five contractions were recorded during a 4-minute examination period. The mean distance between reticulum and left abdominal wall was 1.60390.566 cm. The duration of the first and second reticular contractions were 3.08090.43 and 4.40790.796 sec, respectively. However, the duration of relaxation interval was 42.6393.187 sec. The amplitude of first contraction was 6.34191.600 cm. In conclusion, reticular appearance and characters of reticular motility in buffalo is similar to that reported in cows, but reticulum was best accessed from left and right ventral thorax than from midline. M mode of display is an alternative tool for evaluation of reticular motility. The result of the present study could be used as a reference for reticular examination in a healthy buffalo.

​Ultrasonographic Morphometry of Reticulum in Cattle and Buffaloes

“…The results revealed that the broader ICS approach in cattle proved satisfactorily, while narrower ICS in buffaloes proved an unsatisfactory scanning procedure to evaluate the reticular wall, its contractions and adjoining structures like diaphragm, musculophrenic veins, rumen wall, spleen, liver, peritoneum and abdominal wall. The results were concurrent with the findings of Abouelnasr et al (2014) in buffaloes and Braun and Gotz (1994) in cattle.…”

“…The findings of the reticular wall thickness (0.3 to 0.5 cm and 0.3 to 0.7 cm in cattle and buffaloes, respectively), also correlated with that of Makhdoomi et al (2019) in cattle and buffaloes. Abouelnasr et al (2014) evaluated 1.603±0.21 cm distances between the reticular wall and abdominal wall and it was lower than that of the present study, where it was 2.577±0.32 cm in six buffaloes. This variation might be due to the difference in the age group and breed of the buffaloes.…”

“…Braun et al (2018) also found the biphasic type of contractions in 416 (76%) cattle and triphasic contractions in 14 (3%) cattle only. Abouelnasr et al (2014) concluded that the reticular contractions were biphasic in majority of buffaloes, while the triphasic contractions were found in four buffaloes only. The evaluation of reticular contractions in the present study was also concurrent with the observations of Braun and Gotz, (1994); Kaske et al, (1994) ;Braun, (2009); Braun et al (2018a) and Abouelnasr et al, (2014).…”

“…Abouelnasr et al (2014) concluded that the reticular contractions were biphasic in majority of buffaloes, while the triphasic contractions were found in four buffaloes only. The evaluation of reticular contractions in the present study was also concurrent with the observations of Braun and Gotz, (1994); Kaske et al, (1994) ;Braun, (2009); Braun et al (2018a) and Abouelnasr et al, (2014). Most workers stated that the reticulum was identified by its crescent or half-moon-shaped smooth-contoured structure in both cattle and buffaloes.…”

“…Braun et al (2018) also examined the reticulum ultrasonographically from the ventral aspect of the thorax on both the sides of sternum in cattle. Abouelnasr et al (2014) also evaluated the reticulum using USG from the left ventral thoracic area at the level of 6 th to 7 th ICS in all the buffaloes, while the reticulum could not be seen in 11 animals from the ventral mid line and in 3 animals from the right side. Hence, concluded that the left lateral window proves better to evaluate the reticular thickness in normal as well as FBS affected cattle and buffaloes.…”