Caracterização ultrassonográfica dos órgãos da cavidade celomática de serpentes da família Boidae

Abstract

The aim of this study was the ultrasound evaluation of organs of the middle third and caudal of the cellomatic cavity of hygid snakes of the Boidae family. For this, fifteen adult snakes of five species were evaluated: Boa constrictor amarali, Boa constrictor constrictor constrictor, Eunectes murinus, Epicrates assisi and Epicrates crassus belonging to the Laboratory of Teaching and Research in Wild Animals. The animals were physically restraint with herpetological hook and then kept manually for ten minutes. Acoustic gel was applied on the scales and the transducer was positioned in the frontal plane of the coelomic cavity and ultrasound examination was conducted in the craniocaudal direction. Microconvex and linear transducers were used at 10 MHz. Morphology, Sintopia, Ecogenicity and Echotexture of the organs of the cellomatic cavity were evaluated. The scan was performed in the longitudinal and transverse planes. The liver presented bilobulate, hyperechoic, homogeneous echotexture, hyperechoic capsule, with hepatic lobe measuring 0.63-1.23 cm thick, with the presence of a central hepatic vein, measuring 0.28-0.5 cm thick. The gallbladder was characterized as an anechoic structure of ecogenic walls measuring 1.89-4.11 cm in length and 0.64-2.41cm thick. The stomach presented with the nailed and linear appearance, ecogenic, hypoechoic walls measuring 0.25-0.4 cm thickness. The splenopancreas presented as a circular and ecogenic structure, homogeneous echotexture and measuring 0.62-2.21cm thick and 0.71-1.91cm in length. The kidneys were characterized by elongated structures, lobulados, hypoechoics, ecogenic capsule and an ecogenic axis, measuring 0.36-1.4cm thick. The testicles were characterized by fusiform, hypoechoic structures, homogeneous echotexture, measuring 1.92-2.29cm in length and 0.59-0.7cm thick. Ovarian follicles were visualized at different stages, 0.31-1.11cm thick and 0.4-1.18 cm in length. No differences were found between species of sintopia, ecogenicity and ecotexture of the organs of the celomatic cavity. Ultrasound examination proved to be a safe, noninvasive and efficient technique for characterizing the organs of the celomatic cavity of snakes.