Gastrointestinal Tract Flashcards by Renee DeAngelis

Normal stomach anatomy:

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is highlighted in this stomach? What other structure is seen?

fundus

accumulation of gas outlines rugal folds

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is highlighted in this stomach? In what projection is it better visualized?

gastric body

VD - gas is not gravity dependent

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is highlighted in this stomach?

pylorus

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the normal anatomy of the stomach on the left lateral projection?

fundus dependent (down) = fluid-filled
pylorus and proximal duodenum non-dependent (up) = gas-filled

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the normal anatomy of the stomach on the right lateral projection?

pylorus dependent (down) = fluid-filled
fundus non-dependent (up) = gas filled

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is a pyloric pseudomass? How can it be ruled out?

seen on right lateral projection when the pylorus is fluid-dilled and resembles a mass

take a left lateral and VD radiograph, where it will be gas-filled

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How does the normal feline stomach compare to canines?

slightly to the left of midline with the pylorus slightly to the right on VD

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How does the small intestine position differ in felines?

lack of segments within the left abdomen due to increased fat deposits

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is being pointed to in this radiograph?

wet hair artifact - likely due to a previous ultrasound

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is being pointed to in this radiograph? How is it comfirmed?

normal fat within gastric submucosa that can resemble a FB, best seen on an empty stomach

CT = hypoattenuated fat
U/S = hyperechoic

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the normal size of the canine small intestine?

< 1.4x height of L5

< 2x minimal small intestinal diameter

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

When is the canine small intestine considered dilated? When is mechanical obstruction of high concern?

1.4-2.4x height of L5, 2-3.4x minimal small intestinal diameter

> 2.4x height of L5, >3.4x minimal small intestinal diameter

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the normal size of the feline small intestine? In what way is it different than canines?

12 mm in width from serosa to serosa

very little gas - not as aerophagic as dogs
lack of size variation in felines makes ratios not necessary

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What unique feature of the feline small intestine is observable on radiographs?

normal segmentation and peristalsis = “string of pearls”

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Are obstructions common in the colon?

no - if an FB made it this far, it will likely be excreted with feces

contrast studies help with observation

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What positive contrasts are commonly used for colon studies? What are the 2 indications for performing this?

Study These Flashcards

barium and iodine —> radioopaque

vomiting
suspected dysmotility

What are 2 contraindications for performing positive contrast used for colon studies?

Study These Flashcards

intractable vomiting - aspiration risk
possible GI rupture

What are 2 negative contrasts used for colon studies?

Study These Flashcards

room air - readily available and safe
CO2 - more commonly used for urinary tract

What are 5 uses of contrast studies?

Study These Flashcards

can more accurately view mucosal surface
allows evaluation of GIT wall
visualized motility
locates regions of GIT
located obstructions

What is occurring in this radiograph?

Study These Flashcards

double contrast gastrogram - barium + air

lack of positive contrast in fundus, likely due to some kind of FB (intraluminal filling defect)
can observe normal striation of feline esophagus
can observe normal rugal folds in the pylorus

Feline upper GI study:

Study These Flashcards

normal gastric filling with positive contrast
normal string of pearls = peristalsis

What 2 specific large intestinal contrast studies are performed?

Study These Flashcards

pneumocolon - sedation, delineates path of colon to rule in/out gas dilation of small intestine on survery radiographs
barium enema - heavy sedation or GA, barium sulfate suspension through Foley catheter and enema bag

Pneumocolon:

Study These Flashcards

room air differentiates it from small intestine

What is the primary differential for vomiting patients?

GIT obstruction - animals love to eat things they shouldn't!

Normal canine stomach:

LL = fluid in fundus, gas in pylorus RL = fluid in pylorus, gas in fundus

What is mechanical ileus? What is the most common cause?

FOCAL - dilation of a segment of the GIT obstructions of the GIT - luminal, mural, extra-mural

What is functional ileus? What is the most common cause?

GENERALIZED - more mild dilation of the entire GIT GIT paralysis or decreased motility caused by infection, inflammation or toxins

GIT, Roentgen signs:

What Roentgen signs are associated with distension of the GIT? Mechanical vs functional ileus?

SIZE - anatomy, measure diameter, use ratios SHAPE - relaxed, hairpin turns, stacking, plication LOCATION - segments affected NUMBER - amount of segments affected

What are the 3 major etiologies of mechanical obstruction?

1. LUMINAL - FB, intussusception 2. MURAL - neoplasia, infection, inflammation, stricture 3. EXTRA-MURAL - infarction, intestinal volvulus, external compression

What is pyloric outflow obstruction? What are 3 common causes?

mechanical obstruction of the stomach leading to gastric distention 1. luminal FB 2. hypertrophic gastropathy (mural) common in small breeds 3. mural neoplasia

What is likely occurring in this radiograph?

- stomach full and extending beyond the 13th ribs - contraction at pylorus with thickened walls - no contrast beyond the contraction = decreased outflow PYLORIC OUTFLOW OBSTRUCTION

What are the 3 radiographic signs of gastric dilatation volvulus? What is a common secondary sign?

1. craniodorsal displacement of pylorus over fundus 2. ventral displacement of fundus 3. compartmentalization = soft tissue band caused by folding of gastric wall between the 2 gas-distended stomach compartments vascular congestion = splenomegaly

What is considered the gray zone of segmental intestinal dilation?

1.4-2.4x height of L5 between 2-3.4x minimum small intestinal diameter - need further testing, like repeated radiographs or U/S

What are the 2 populations of small bowels with mechanical obstruction?

1. distended portion orad to obstruction 2. normal small intesting aborad to obstruction

What is seen in this contrast study?

normal aborad movement of contrast until it abruptly stops at a dilated segment, creating concave a filling defect indicative of a luminal, round FB

What is seen in these radiographs?

all of intestine is uniformly dilated with no indication of peristalsis = functional ileus

What is megacolon? How is it differentiated?

functional disease common in cats, causing the development of a feces-filled colon - NORMAL = <1.28x length of L5 - MEGACOLON = >1.68x length of L5 - CONSTIPATION = 1.48x length of L5

What is colonic torsion?

colon twists around its longitudinal axis, causing severe dilation and mal-positioning of the colon - surgical emergency - common in dogs

How do patients with linear foreign bodies typically present? What is seen on their radiographs?

vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain NOT CLASSICAL SIGNS OF MECHANICAL ILEUS - no dilation - tortuous, irregular margins - abrupt changes in direction - plication: focally gathered/bunched

Where are linear foreign bodies most commonly anchored?

- CATS = base of tongue - DOGS = pylorus

Gastrointestinal Tract Flashcards

(42 cards)