Ultrasonographic imaging of the urinary tract pre and post experimental urethral obstruction in bucks

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to throw a light on the validity of ultrasonographic examination of urinary tract pre and post urethral obstruction in Egyptian mixed breed non castrated bucks [male goats].Nine bucks were subjected to direct penile ligation at the distal bend of the sigmoid flexure after surgical exposure of the penis to induce urethral obstruction and subsequent urine retention. Clinical and ultrasonographic examinations were carried out immediately pre experimental urethral obstruction and continued periodically every 12 hrs, throughout 48 hrs. post experimental urethral obstruction. The Ultrasonographic appearance and measurements of urinary tract compartments were assessed and compared at different examination positions using linear array endorectal probe [7.5-2.6 MHZ] and convex array general purpose probe [6-2.6 MHZ]. Both kidneys were visualized ultrasonographically through transabdominal approach and the bladder was visualized through transabdominal and transrectal approaches in all bucks. Both of them revealed normal architexture, echogenicity and dimensions before ligation. The course of the urethra in the pelvis and in the penis was not imaged in any of the bucks before ligation. There were significant increase in kidneys and bladder dimensions after urethral obstruction. The proximal portion of the pelvic urethra was visualized clearly in all bucks 24 hrs. post urethral ligation. The course of the ureters was not visualized ultrasonographically by means of the transrectal or transbdominal approaches pre-and post experimental urethral obstruction. It could be concluded that using of ultrasonography is considered a good clinical diagnostic tool for examination of the urinary tract in bucks affected with urine retention