Ultrasonographic diagnosis of traumatic reticuloperitonitis and pericarditis in cattle

The reticulum, reticular motility, cranial blind sac, rumen, spleen, and heart in 80 cattle with suspected traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP) were examined ultrasonographically with a 3.5 and 5 MHz convex transducer and a 2.5, 3.5, and 5 MHz sector transducer (Esaote AU5, Esaote, Florenz, Italy). Adhesions of the reticulum, rumen and spleen, reduced reticular motility, and endocarditis were visualised ultrasonographically. Diagnosis of TRP was more difficult in cattle with large amounts of subcutaneous fat, reduced reticular motility without presence of TRP, normal reticular motility in spite of TRP and with parts of the omentum, small intestine, and abomasum lying between reticulum and abdominal wall. Poor visualisation of the heart was due to large fat deposits in subcutaneous tissue.