ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF THE LIVER, GALL BLADDER AND SPLEEN OF CAPTIVE RETICULATED PYTHONS (Python reticulatus)

Abstract

Philipp J Vet Anim Sci 2011, 37 (2): 177-186

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the liver, gall bladder and spleen was conducted in reticulated pythons using an ultrasound machine equipped with a 5-MHz transducer. The liver was seen to have a homogeneous hypoechoic parenchyma and a large central vein with an anechoic lumen and hyperechoic wall. The organ occupied nearly the entire proximal second quadrant of the body. The mean size of the liver parenchyma was 42.22±1.34 cm, the central hepatic vein lumen was 37.67±1.67 cm and the central hepatic vein wall was 130.37±11.79 cm. The gall bladder, unlike in domestic animals, was not associated nor attached directly to the hepatic parenchyma. It was found in the third quarter of the body, together with the spleen. The gall bladder was easily identified due to its anechoic architecture but there were instances where imaging of the gall bladder was difficult due to the obstruction brought about by the presence of numerous adipose tissues and/or ovarian follicles. The gall bladder had an average length of 4.74±0.79 cm and average width of 5.74±1.34 cm. The spleen was small, circular and hyperechoic, with a mean diameter of 3.33±0.39 cm. The sizes of the organs examined were not significantly related to sex, body length and girth. The results of the study can serve as baseline information for the ultrasonogram characteristics of these organs in reticulated pythons.