Ultrasonographic Aspect of Coelomic Organs in Boid Snakes

Abstract

The unique anatomic features of the ophidian organs have direct consequences on the approaches used and the structures viewed during an ultrasonography examination; these include the organs mobility in the coelomic cavity and the particular aspect of the organs. Assessment of optimal approaches of ultrasonography in the boid snakes, so to identify the normal ultrasonographyc anatomy of the coelomic organs. The biological material was represented by 4 boid snake: 3 Boa constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator) and 1 Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus); 1 male and 3 female,weighing between 2.5 and 20.7 kg and measuring from 1 to 3 m. The snakes were each held both in ventral and dorsal recumbency, with no anesthesia necessary, only physical restraining. For the ultrasonography of coelomic organs examination, an ultrasound Mindray DC-6 unit equipped with a 7.5-10 MHz linear was used. Ventral and intercostals approaches were used, evaluation and measurements being assessed in B mode. In some cases Color Doppler was used to visualize the blood flow in the ophidian organs. B mode ultrasonography shows the heart that could be taken as a mark point for identifying the other coelomic organs. There were put in evidence the intestine, the liver and gall bladder, the kidney and the ovary. Vascularization of the liver, kidney and the heart was evaluated through Doppler. The ultrasound examination is a non-invasive method that could constitute a usefultool in identifying different pathologies located at the coelomic level.