Share this
Blackwell publishing released Diagnostic Ultrasound In Small Animal Practice , which was edited by Paddy Mannion, in 2006. This book updates a previous text written by Frances Barr in 1990, to include newer technology and understanding of diagnostic ultrasound in small animal practice. Mannion and the contributing authors introduce the principles and technology behind the use of ultrasound as a diagnostic modality for the small animal practitioner rather than as a tool for the specialist. With the advances in technology and the declining price of ultrasound machines, many general practitioners are utilizing this useful technique in their repertoire of diagnostic tools.
Following a fundamental introduction to the principles of ultrasound technology, the book is sectioned into 14 chapters including the basic organ systems, an introduction into Doppler ultrasound, and the ultrasound of exotic animals. Chapter Two: Ultrasound Artifact, illustrates how artifacts located by ultrasound can be difficult to analyze but can be extremely useful in diagnosis and to the ultrasound operator’s benefit when interpreted correctly. Once the ultrasound machine is set properly for the patient and poor scanning technique is ruled out, artifacts are quite helpful with diagnosis and the chapter highlights the most common artifacts with detailed explanation and labeled diagrams for clarity.
The main text is divided into chapters systematically evaluating the organ systems of small animals and exotic animals with reference to normal structure and anatomic location, followed by typical abnormal situations and appearances. Although the chapters offer a thorough pattern of organ system scanning, the authors stress not necessarily the order in which a patient’s body systems are ultrasounded or scanned, but that the same methodical technique is used each time. Once the operator has a particular method for scanning, the more that can be learned through repetition and the wide range of normal structure appearances versus abnormal structure. Practice and repetition are key to the success of the ultrasound interpretation. Many of the normal and abnormal conditions throughout the text reference an actual ultrasound photograph followed by the exact photo reproduced as a line drawing with the shadowed areas labeled for ease of understanding. For the novice, some of the diagrams could be labeled with more detail however overall the message is clear.
Diagnostic Ultrasound in Small Animal Practice is an amazing reference book which would be excellent as a course text in ultrasonography for the small animal practitioner. Reading the text while practicing the systematic methods of scanning organ systems hand in hand would be ideal for anyone interested in pursuing ultrasound as a diagnostic tool. It is somewhat frustrating to read this interesting text but not have the ability to utilize an ultrasound machine at the same time to practice this fascinating technology. Diagnostic ultrasound in conjunction with other diagnostic tools such as the physical exam, blood work, radiographs, and surgical procedures can be an extremely beneficial tool in diagnosing illness in small animal and exotic veterinary practice as well as investigative research in the laboratory.
Paddy Mannion, ed. Diagnostic Ultrasound in Small Animal Practice. Blackwell Publishing, 2006.
Sandra L. Jex is a veterinarian and consultant. She can be reached at info@alnmag.com.