Comparative ultrasonographic investigations of the gastrointestinal tract and the liver in healthy and diseased pigeons

The use of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool in birds has been documented for cardiac, urogenital, and liver disease. However, its use in gastrointestinal tract disease is not defined. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the ultrasonographic findings of the intestine and liver of six healthy racing pigeons with those of six racing pigeons with gastrointestinal disease. The echogenicity of the liver was significantly different between the two groups. Pigeons with gastrointestinal disease had less homogeneous liver echogenicity with focal heterogeneous areas and the hepatic blood vessels were visible and dilated. The duodenum was visualized and its mean diameter of 7.2 +/- 0.3 mm in the diseased pigeons was significantly wider (P < 0.001) than the 5.7 +/- 0.2 mm in healthy birds. The thickness of the duodenal wall in healthy and diseased pigeons was 1.6 +/- 0.1 and 2.4 +/- 0.1 mm, respectively, and they were significantly different (P < 0.001). We defined baseline measurements for the duodenal loop in pigeons and provided evidence that ultrasound can be a useful diagnostic tool for investigating intestinal disease in pigeons

Comparison of transcoelomic, contrast transcoelomic, and transesophageal echocardiography in anesthetized red-tailed hawks ( Buteo jamaicensis

OBJECTIVE: To assess the agreement and reliability of cardiac measurements obtained with 3 echocardiographic techniques in anesthetized red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis). ANIMALS: 10 red-tailed hawks. PROCEDURES: Transcoelomic, contrast transcoelomic, and transesophageal echocardiographic evaluations of the hawks were performed, and cineloops of imaging planes were recorded. Three observers performed echocardiographic measurements of cardiac variables 3 times on 3 days. The order in which hawks were assessed and echocardiographic techniques were used was randomized. Results were analyzed with linear mixed modeling, agreement was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients, and variation was estimated with coefficients of variation. RESULTS: Significant differences were evident among the 3 echocardiographic methods for most measurements, and the agreement among findings was generally low. Interobserver agreement was generally low to medium. Intraobserver agreement was generally medium to high. Overall, better agreement was achieved for the left ventricular measurements and for the transesophageal approach than for other measurements and techniques. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Echocardiographic measurements in hawks were not reliable, except when the left ventricle was measured by the same observer. Furthermore, cardiac morphometric measurements may not be clinically important. When measurements are required, one needs to consider that follow-up measurements should be performed by the same echocardiographer and should show at least a 20% difference from initial measurements to be confident that any difference is genuine

Triagem auditiva neonatal: aplicabilidade clínica na rotina dos médicos pediatras neonatologistas Neonatal hearing screening: clinical applicability in the routine of the neonatologists pediatrician doctors

OBJETIVO: identificar a aplicabilidade clínica da triagem auditiva neonatal na rotina dos médicos pediatras neonatologistas no município de Maceió-AL. MÉTODOS: foi realizado um estudo transversal analítico com 36 médicos pediatras neonatologistas por meio da aplicação de um questionário com seis perguntas objetivas. RESULTADOS: observou-se que 88,9% dos pediatras neonatologistas conhecem a triagem auditiva neonatal, no entanto, 11,1% desconhecem. No serviço particular de saúde, 66,1% encaminham todos os recém-nascidos para a triagem em sua rotina. No serviço público, apenas 7,4% encaminham todos os recém-nascidos e 42,8% não encaminham. Em relação à Lei Municipal nº 5.555/06, que obriga a realização da triagem auditiva neonatal universal nas maternidades e estabelecimentos hospitalares congêneres no município de Maceió, 41,7% dos médicos declararam não conhecer. Apenas 36,1% afirmaram conhecer o trabalho fonoaudiológico na prevenção da surdez. CONCLUSÃO: neste estudo, pode-se concluir que a triagem auditiva neonatal está inserida na rotina clínica da maioria dos médicos pediatras neonatologistas que trabalham na rede particular de saúde. No entanto, observa-se carência de recursos para a implantação e continuidade do programa no serviço público e pouco conhecimento do papel do fonoaudiólogo na prevenção da surdez.<br>PURPOSE: to identify the clinical applicability of neonatal hearing screening in the routine of neonatologist pediatrician doctors in the city of Maceió-AL. METHODS: an cross-section analytical study was carried out with 36 neonatologist pediatricians through the application of a questionnaire with six objective questions. RESULTS: it was observed that 88.9% of neonatologist pediatricians know on neonatal hearing screening; however, 11.1% do not know./ In the private health service, 66.1% refer all the newborn babies to the screening in their routine. In the public service, only 7.4% refer all the newborn babies and 42.8% do not. In relation to the Municipal Law number 5.555/06, which makes the neonatal hearing screening compulsory in the maternities and similar establishments in the city of Maceió, 41.7% of the doctors have declared not knowing. Just 36.1% have stated knowing the speech pathology related work in the prevention of deafness. CONCLUSION: in this study, it can be concluded that the neonatal hearing screening is inserted in the clinical routine of the majority of the neonatologist pediatrician doctors that work in the particular health service. However, there is a lack of resources for implementing and continuing the program in the public service and there is very little knowledge on the role of the speech pathologist in preventing deafness