Bovine and Equine Umbilical Ultrasound G Dykstra March

Bovine and Equine Umbilical Ultrasound G. Dykstra March 24, 2010

Bovine Umbilicus 2 umbilical arteries ¢ Allantoic stalk (urachus) ¢ 2 umbilical veins ¢ l anastomose within the body wall

Equine Umbilicus 2 umbilical arteries ¢ Allantoic stalk (urachus) ¢ 1 umbilical vein ¢

After Parturition

Fetal Structure Destiny vein → round ligament of liver ¢ arteries → round ligament of bladder ¢ urachus → atrophies ¢

If things go wrong… ¢ ¢ ¢ Omphalitis Omphalophlebitis Omphaloarteritis Omphalourachitis Umbilical hernia Patent urachus Remember, even if the external umbilicus looks normal there is could still be an infection!

Preparation Standing +/- sedation ¢ Hair clip ¢ 4 cm width l Xiphoid to prepuce/udder l Umbilicus to inguinal ring l 7. 5 -MHz transducer ¢ Calves are clipped more on the RIGHT side ¢

Foal Anatomy

Umbilical Vein ¢ Calves l l ¢ Travels more to RIGHT side cranially May need left lateral recumbency Largest diameter near stalk intraabdominally Atrophies over time in calves Foals l l Scan on ventral midline Little change for first month

Calf External Umbilicus VU = Umbilical Vein US = Umbilical Stalk

Calf Umbilical Vein at Liver VU = Umbilical Vein LI = Liver VP = Portal Vein

Foal Anatomy

Umbilical Arteries & Urachus ¢ Calves l l l ¢ Scanned adjacent to the bladder Arteries end abruptly near apex of bladder Urachus not visualized Foals l l l Scanned near bladder Arteries outline the urachus at bladder apex Urachus not really well defined

Foal Anatomy

Foal Umbilical Arteries & Urachus

But what does it all mean? ¢ Calf abnormality l l l ¢ Vein > 1. 5 – 2. 5 cm diameter Artery > 1 cm diameter Visualizing the urachus Foal abnormality Vein > 1 cm diameter l Artery > 1. 3 cm diameter l Combined urachus and arteries > 2. 5 cm diameter l

Mean diameter (mm) of umbilical structures in clinically normal calves over time from birth Location 24 hours 1 wk 2 wk 3 wk Umbilical stalk 24. 67 ± 3. 57 20. 22 ± 3. 99 16. 78 ± 3. 83 14. 44 ± 3. 78 Vein within stalk 9. 61 ± 4. 41 2. 61 ± 1. 78 1. 0 ± 1. 52 n/a Vein near stalk 17. 67 ± 6. 04 10. 33 ± 5. 05 7. 89 ± 4. 70 5. 33 ± 4. 56 Vein at midpoint 11. 22 ± 3. 60 7. 56 ± 2. 24 4. 44 ± 3. 40 1. 22 ± 2. 44 Vein near liver 10. 44 ± 4. 50 6. 11 ± 3. 86 2. 78 ± 4. 24 1. 33 ± 2. 83 Arteries 10. 33 ± 1. 80 8. 94 ± 2. 11 8. 39 ± 1. 92 6. 82 ± 1. 03 Watson E, Mahaffey MB et. al. 1994 Am J Vet Res, 55(6); 773 -782.

Calf Umbilical Stalk

Calf Infected Umbilical Vein Immediately Cranial to Umbilicus

Calf Infected Umbilical Vein 10 cm Cranial and Right of Umbilicus

Calf Umbilical Vein - Saggital

Calf Urachal Abscess