Ultrasound with laparoscopy for the diagnosis of abdominal disorders in cattle

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate laparoscopy with abdominal ultrasound exams to establish accurate diagnosis and prognosis. The experimental design was a prospective clinical study. Nine adult crossbred bovines suffering from abdominal disorders were admitted to the cattle clinic for clinical examinations. Abdominal ultrasound was carried out, and complete blood counts were performed. Subsequently, exploratory laparoscopy was performed. After surgery (exploratory laparoscopy on the right or left side), animals with a severe prognosis or untreatable clinical condition were euthanised and necropsied. During laparoscopy, circumscribed reticuloperitonitis could not be detected, nor could other abnormalities in the cranioventral region of the abdomen previously observed on ultrasound and confirmed during necropsy. However, alterations due to peritoneal damage, such as adhesions, were observed dorsally in addition to alterations in macroscopic aspects of the peritoneal fluid. Exploratory standing laparoscopy through the paralumbar fossae may constitute a supplementary procedure for diagnosing abdominal disorders in cattle, but it is not suitable in cases of diseases characterised by focal lesions concentrated in the cranioventral region of the abdomen. When associated with clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound examinations, this technique may improve the accurate diagnosis and prognosis of abdominal disorders in cattle.