SERVICES

Ultrasonography Radiology MRI CT Education

Mobile ultrasonography service to practices in the South West of England

Radiographic reporting of digital studies submitted directly over the internet

MRI studies reported using simple online file transfer service

CT study reporting via simple online file transfer service

Formal lecturing, seminars, and practical tuition in ultrasonography and radiology

ULTRASONOGRAPHY

Ultrasonography Service
We offer a mobile ultrasonography service to practices in the South West of England using advanced portable ultrasound equipment.

What is Ultrasound?
Ultrasonography is an invaluable and under-used tool in the diagnosis of many disease conditions. The use of ultrasound imaging provides important diagnostic information as to the nature of thoracic, abdominal and musculo-skeletal pathology, which may not be evident from other imaging modalities such as radiography.

Indications

Polydipsia/polyuria
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Weight loss
Ascites
Palpable abdominal mass
Dysuria, haematuria
Dyschezia, haematochezia
Endocrinopathies
Soft tissue swelling eg foreign body, soft tissue sarcoma
Lameness eg biceps tendon injury
Hepatic encephalopathy
Gynacological – pregnancy, pyometra, ovarian pathology
Cryptorchidism
Ocular disease eg retinal detachment, intra-ocular masses

Sampling
Ultrasonography can be used to perform ultrasound-guided procedures, such as tissue core biopsy, fine needle aspiration and cystocentesis. The use of these techniques can reduce the degree of stress and discomfort experienced by the patient, compared to a more invasive technique such as laparotomy.

RADIOLOGY

Reporting
Radiographic reports include the following information:

Radiographic appraisal - a brief summary of the quality of the radiographs submitted, including tips on how to improve radiographic technique
Radiological report - a full description of radiographic findings
Differential Diagnoses - in order of probability
Recommendations for further investigations

Submissions
DICOM files can be transferred via our Image Upload System

MRI

What is MRI? Indications Submissions

Whilst imaging of the brain and spinal cord have been the most common indications for MRI in recent years, the list of conditions where MRI has proven invaluable grows rapidly.

MRI has several advantages over other forms of imaging. This modality does not require the use of ionising radiation, and is non-invasive, unlike myelography. MRI can obtain images in any plane, and provides excellent contrast resolution, offering soft tissue information in exquisite detail. Oedema and inflammation, which are commonly associated with pathological change can be detected in soft tissues, but also within bone.

MRI is a highly useful tool in surgical planning, enabling the surgeon to ascertain the extent of pathology e.g. tumour removal, and thus the margins required for adequate resection.

Seizures
Behavioural changes
Ataxia
Cranial masses
Disc herniation
Spinal cord disease
Lumbo-sacral pathology
Intra-pelvic lesions
Nasal disease
Eye/periorbital lesions
Middle/inner ear disease
Lameness eg shoulder, elbow, stifle
Brachial plexus lesions
Abdominal masses
Determination of extent of pathology
Evaluation of masses prior to surgery

DICOM files can be transferred using our Image Upload System

What is CT?

The availability of Computed Tomography is becoming more widespread, and this form of cross-sectional imaging has numerous veterinary applications.

There is considerable crossover between the indications for CT and MRI, although the identification of certain types of pathology is more typically associated with CT. For example, high resolution CT has a much higher sensitivity for small pulmonary metastatic lesions than either conventional radiography or MRI.

Like MRI, CT is invaluable in determining the scale of pathology, characterising lesions to optimise surgical planning.

Indications

Pulmonary metastasis checks
Lung masses
Intrathoracic or abdominal masses
Ectopic ureters
Fracture repair planning
Elbow dysplasia studies
Evaluation for soft tissue foreign bodies
Angiography studies e.g. portosystemic liver shunts

Submissions
DICOM files can be transferred via our Image Upload System