King A M, Hall J, Cranfield F, Sullivan M
Institute of Comparative Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, Scotland G61 1QH, United Kingdom.
Vet J. 2007 May;173(3):512-21. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2006.09.002. Epub 2006 Oct 31.
Otitis media is a relatively common condition in the rabbit although it can be difficult to evaluate clinically. Diagnostic imaging of the rabbit has traditionally involved radiography and there are few reports regarding the use of ultrasound. The aim of this study was to determine if the tympanic bulla (TB) and associated structures could be evaluated in the rabbit using currently available ultrasound equipment. The normal anatomy of the region was established using gross dissection and emascerated specimens and compared with the dog and cat. Ten New Zealand white rabbit cadavers were examined using two ultrasound machines and four transducers from a variety of locations. A 12 MHz linear transducer was found to be most appropriate. From a lateral approach the external ear canal could be visualized to the level of the external acoustic meatus while the TB itself could only be visualized from a ventral approach. The jugular and mastoid processes in the rabbit are very prominent and interfered with imaging of the TB from all approaches. Water-soluble lubricant introduced into the TB could be identified through the ventral bone wall of the TB and allowed the lumen and far wall to be visualised. Further work is required to determine whether ultrasound examination of the TB can be performed in live rabbits and to evaluate its benefits in the evaluation of clinical cases of otitis media.
中耳炎在兔子中是一种相对常见的病症，尽管临床上难以评估。传统上，兔子的诊断成像采用X线摄影，关于超声使用的报道很少。本研究的目的是确定是否可以使用现有的超声设备对兔子的鼓泡（TB）及相关结构进行评估。利用大体解剖和去肉标本确定该区域的正常解剖结构，并与狗和猫进行比较。使用两台超声机器和四个换能器从不同位置对十只新西兰白兔尸体进行了检查。发现12MHz线性换能器最为合适。从外侧入路可以看到外耳道至外耳道水平，而鼓泡本身只能从腹侧入路看到。兔子的颈突和乳突非常突出，干扰了从所有入路对鼓泡的成像。注入鼓泡的水溶性润滑剂可以通过鼓泡的腹侧骨壁识别出来，并能看到管腔和远壁。需要进一步开展工作，以确定是否可以对活兔进行鼓泡超声检查，并评估其在评估中耳炎临床病例中的益处。
