1. Gastrointestinal Ultrasound
Karen Gormley

2. Indications Vomiting +/- blood Diarrhea +/- blood Anorexia
Alternative to contrast studies
Abnormality on radiograph
Neoplasia suspected
FNA

3. Structures Esophagus Stomach Small Intestine Ileocecocolic junction
Colon

4. Esophagus
Usually done with endoscopy

5. Esophageal abnormalities
Strictures
Masses

6. Stomach – normal Best if no air Empty = “wagon wheel” Dogs 3-5 mm
Cats ~2 mm
Layers
Mucosal surface (hyper)
Mucosa (hypo)
Submucosa (hyper)
Muscularis propria (hypo)
Subserosa/serosa (hyper)

7. Stomach abnormalities
Foreign body
Ulcers
Neoplasia
Inflammation
Mineralization

8. Small Intestine - normal
Wall thickness
2-4 mm dog
2-3.2 mm cat
Wall layering
Lumen (hyper)
Mucosa (hypo) *
Submucosa (hyper)
Muscularis (hypo)
Serosa (hyper)
Motility
4-5 contractions/min duodenum
1-2 contractions/min distal
Can’t see both walls if gas present

9. Small intestine - sections
Duodenum – location
Jejunum, ileum
Ileocecocolic junction
Mucosa projects into lumen

10. Small intestine abnormalities
Wall thickness
Wall layer pattern
Motility
Obstruction
Foreign body
Neoplasia
Plication
Intussception
Metastatic calfication
Pneumatosis intestinalis/coli

11. Colon - normal
Limited by air & feces
Asses wall thickness & symmetry

12. Colon abnormalities Abnormal wall thickness Mural & extramural masses
Intussusception