Ultrasonographic, endoscopic and radiographic examinations of the dromedary mammary glands and teats

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the mammary gland of dromedary camels using ultrasonography, endoscopy and radiography. These techniques are easy to perform in the field and feasible to diagnose pathological conditions of the mammary gland. Udders of 49 slaughtered and 26 adult dromedary camels submitted for necropsy were used for the examinations. Additionally, 11 lactating female dromedary camels were selected for the ultrasonographic udder examination. The transition from the milk ducts into the udder cistern, the teat cistern and the teat canals were examined in individual udders. Teat cistern length, teat end width, teat wall thickness, teat cistern width and middle cistern wall thickness were measured using ultrasonography. The measurements resulted in mean values of the teat cistern length of 37.3 mm, the teat end width of 2.0 mm, the teat wall thickness of 4.4 mm, the teat cistern width of 8.2 mm and the cistern wall thickness of 3.5 mm. The teat wall was differentiated into three layers, a hyperechoic outer layer, a hypoechoic middle layer and a hyperechoic inner layer. The mid cistern wall was hyperechoic. Endoscopic examination is an easy to perform and practicable method for examining the inner structures of the teats of dead animals; however, the feasibility has not been shown in lactating animals yet. Ring-like folds were present in the teat cistern, which protruded horizontally into the lumen. It was also possible to visualize the branchlike transition of the teat cistern into the larger milk ducts. Radiographic examination using barium sulfate contrast medium showed that the teat cistern ends in a network of initially wide but branching and narrowing milk ducts. The two teat canals and cisterns are completely independent of each other and there is no communication between the glandular tissue of the two canals and cisterns.