ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF GASTROINTESTINAL FOREIGN-BODIES

The ultrasonographic findings of fourteen animals having gastrointestinal foreign bodies are presented. Ultrasonography confirmed the presence and location of foreign material within the gastrointestinal tract when radiographic findings were unclear. The acoustic patterns arising from each foreign body varied depending on its physical properties and interaction with the ultrasound beam. These patterns, some of which seemed characteristic for certain types of foreign bodies, and the associated findings of mechanical ileus, ascites, mesenteric lymph node enlargement and localized pancreatitis are discussed.