Ultrasonography of the equine neonatal kidney

Ultrasonography is important in the clinical examination of the foal, The u ltrasonographic appearance and size of the neonatal kidneys were defined an d an imaging protocol established in 6 normal Thoroughbred foals (mean age +/- s.d. 5.0 +/- 3.2 days). Characteristically, in both the heart-shaped ri ght kidney and bean-shaped left kidney, the renal cortex was more echogenic than the medulla. The terminal recesses, renal crest and pelvis were ident ified, as was the ureter, which contained anechoic urine in its lumen. The renal, interlobar and arcuate vessels were seen. For the right kidney, the ultrasonographic probe was placed at the 14-17th intercostal spaces and par alumbar fossa, For the left kidney, the probe was at the 16th or 17th inter costal spaces and paralumbar fossa, Perirenal structures, including the cau date lobe of the liver, the dorsal extremity of the spleen, the adrenals, t he aorta and caudal vena cava were also identified. An understanding of the ultrasonographic appearance of the normal neonatal kidney, accompanied by a routine imaging protocol to ensure that all regions of each kidney are ex amined, permit a more informed interpretation of renal images in the first few days postpartum.