SAEVA Congress 2018 Proceedings | 12-15 February 2018 | ATKV Goudini Spa
Hydropneumothorax
A pneumothorax without pleural effusion is more difficult to detect ultrasonographically
because gas free in the pleural cavity and air within the lung have the characteristic
hyperechoic reflection and reverberation artifacts with periodicity. The discrete small
hypoechoic irregularities with comet tail artifacts seen in the visceral pleural surface of
horses are absent at the site of the pneumothorax.
Pneumothorax
To detect dorsal pneumothorax in horses without pleural effusion, the scan should
begin at the most dorsal aspect of the thorax and continue ventrally, looking for a break
in the characteristic reverberation air artifact. A soft tissue density echo may be
detected at the site of pulmonary atelectasis between the dorsal free gas echo and the
ventral air echo from aerated lung.
Non-effusive pleuritis
A dry pleuritis is more difficult to detect ultrasonographically because there is no fluid
separating parietal and visceral pleural surfaces. Careful examination of the interface
between the parietal and visceral pleural surfaces should be performed during
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