[The application of sonography for swine]

The application of sonography at pigs has hitherto been confined to gynecological questions. In this examination applicabilities of the ultrasonic method are examined from the internal point of view. The sonographical normal picture of organ structures and the value of this method as aid for diagnosis of clinically manifest changes are shown. A 5MHz linear-scanner and a 3.5 MHz convex-scanner (76 degrees) turned out to be suitable. 112 patients of the Clinic of Internal Medicine II and additional 35 healthy pigs were examined. Preliminary examinations were made with isolated organs, which were scanned in a water bath. The sonographical findings of pathological changes could be secured by the postmortem findings. Within the scope of the main examinations, manners of representation and sonographical appearance of liver, gall-bladder, kidneys, urinary-bladder, stomach, lungs, muscular system, spine and transponder were elaborated. The standardized measuring of liver and kidney proved statistically secured dependencies among the measuring data and were significantly related with the body-weight. The ultrasonic guided puncture of gall-urinary bladder and of liquor cerebrospinalis could be carried out successfully.