Diagnostic imaging and radiology

The Diagnostic Imaging Service provides a comprehensive range of imaging modalities to meet the diagnostic needs of veterinarians and patients in both the small and large animal clinics of Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital.

These include computed radiography, ultrasound, fluoroscopy and CT.    

Radiography

The radiography suite was fully refurbished and re-equipped in 2008 and is equipped with three new Control X units.

There is now a dedicated equine unit, a small animal general unit and a small animal fluoroscopy unit. The small animal unit is capable of performing a full range of examinations.

The small animal fluoroscopy unit can be used for a wide range of special procedures.

Oesophagrams and barium studies are the most common procedures. The large animal x-ray machine can be coupled with the bucky and is capable of penetrating the thorax of horses as well as being able to produce high quality radiographs of regions including the cervical spine, dorsal spine and extremities.

Computed radiography adds a new dimension to conventional film/screen radiography – film contrast and density can be easily manipulated to compensate for technique inconsistencies, edge enhancement algorithms can be applied to facilitate visualization of bony abnormalities, images can be “zoomed” and accurate measurements and angles can be obtained. Additionally images can be archived digitally and easily transmitted to referring veterinarians or clients.

Ultrasound

The ultrasound suite is equipped with and Acuson Sequoia 512 ultrasound machine with full colour, pulse wave and continuous waver Doppler capability.

The images produced are of a high quality and allow for detailed examinations of inter abdominal and thoracic structures of both small and large animals. High frequency transducers produce images that rival gross pathology specimens.

M-mode and cardiac imaging analysis allow thorough investigation of congenital and acquired cardiac disease. High resolution images of tendons can be acquired for small and large animals.

Computed Tomography (CT)

On site CT is available following the installation of a helical Siemens CT scanner that allows rapid and detailed acquisition of cross sectional images of any body region.

One scan acquisition is able to provide detailed information of the region of interest in different windows (e.g. bone, soft tissue, lung), greatly improving the diagnostic information and assessment of the extent of disease for many patients.

CT is particularly valuable for assessing bony abnormalities, but also provides excellent soft tissue imaging capability.