Combined radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations for the diagnosis of abdominal diseases in birds

The presented paper describes the diagnostic possibilities of the combined radiographic and ultrasonographic examination of abdominal diseases in bird s. Radiographs give an overview of the skeleton system, but even with addit ional contrast studies of the gastro-intestinal tract it is often difficult to detect the origin or inner structure of soft tissue densities. Ultrason ography can be used to obtain information on the parenchymal texture of org ans and to detect abdominal fluids. The combination of both imaging techniq ues is a suitable diagnostic and prognostic tool in avian medicine. The adv antages and disadvantages of both examination techniques and their combinat ion are demonstrated. In two cases additional computed tomographies were pe rformed.