Ultrasonographic assessment of the spleen in 60 healthy sheep.

AIM: To evaluate the sonographic appearance, size, location and shape of the spleen in 60 healthy sheep. METHODS: A 7.5 MHz linear scanner was used to examine the location, extent and appearance of the spleen from the left side of the sheep, in intercostal spaces (ICS) 8-12 and caudal of the last rib. RESULTS: The ultrasonographic appearance of the splenic parenchyma was homogeneous with a thin, smooth echogenic capsule. The spleen could be visualized in intercostal spaces 9-12 in all sheep, in intercostal space 8 in 25/60 sheep (42%) and caudal of the last rib in 24/60 sheep (40%). In intercostal spaces 8-12 and caudal of the last rib the spleen was visible in 16/60 sheep (27 %). The distance from the dorsal margin of the spleen to the spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae was greatest in the 8th intercostal space: mean 19.32 (SD 2.76) cm and smallest in the 12th intercostal space: mean 6.61 (SD 1.94) cm. The dorsoventral splenic extent was greatest in the 11th intercostal space: mean 13.69 (SD 2.2) cm and smallest in the 8th intercostal space: mean 7.13 (SD 2.5) cm. The thickness of the spleen ranged from 21 (SD 9.0) mm in the 8th intercostal space to 49 (SD 7.0) mm in the 11th intercostal space. The mean vessel diameter was 1.9 (SD 0.7) mm. Spleen size did not correlate with age, body weight, or thoracic and abdominal circumference. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography is a useful, straightforward and non-invasive method for evaluation of the spleen in sheep. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings provide information which can be used as a reference for sonographic spleen examination and diagnosis of splenic lesions in sheep.

Abdominal mesothelioma in a goat.

CASE HISTORY: An 8-year-old female Toggenburg goat was presented with a history of reduced appetite, ruminal tympany, and abdominal enlargement of 2 weeks' duration. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The abdomen was markedly distended and contained a large amount of fluid, demonstrated using ultrasonography, along with echogenic masses on the ventral ruminal and reticular walls. The findings were confirmed at exploratory laparotomy, where together with excessive peritoneal fluid, numerous nodules were found blanketing the peritoneum. PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS AND DIAGNOSIS: Numerous partially coalescing, white-grey nodules up to 3 cm in diameter covered the peritoneum. A biphasic mesothelioma consisting of epithelial and mesenchymal components was demonstrated by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Primary tumours of the peritoneum are rare and occur in many animal species. They must be differentiated from chronic granulomatous peritonitis caused by bacteria (e.g. tuberculosis or 'pearl disease'), parasites and metastatic tumours.