Virtopsy in a red kangaroo with oral osteomyelitis

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Radiology
• Comparative Pathology
• Wildlife Medicine

Background:

• Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly utilized in veterinary diagnostics.
• Its application in nondomestic species, particularly for postmortem analysis, is less established.
• This study explores the utility of CT in a red kangaroo (Macropus rufus).

Observation:

• Postmortem CT was performed on a red kangaroo presenting with suspected oral disease.
• The CT examination revealed significant findings including bony remodeling of the right mandible, an intraosseous lesion in the right temporal bone, and associated muscle necrosis.
• Absence of the right, first upper molar tooth was also noted, alongside postmortem artifacts such as cardiac and intrahepatic gas and intestinal distension.

Findings:

• CT accurately identified lesions consistent with oral osteomyelitis, including mandibular and temporal bone abnormalities.
• Virtopsy (virtual autopsy) using CT successfully visualized bony changes and soft tissue alterations.
• CT identified all gross necropsy findings, with the exception of postmortem gas accumulation in the heart and liver.

Implications:

• Postmortem CT (virtopsy) can be a valuable noninvasive tool for determining the cause of death in nondomestic animals.
• CT imaging can serve as an effective guide for conventional necropsy procedures.
• This technique enhances diagnostic capabilities in wildlife pathology and comparative veterinary medicine.