A COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC STUDY OF VOLUME AND X‐RAY ATTENUATION OF THE LUNGS OF BEAGLES IN VARIOUS BODY POSITIONS

Abstract

The influence of body position on volume and x‐ray attenuation of the lungs of three Beagles was investigated with computed tomography. In left and right lateral recumbency, the dependent lung had decreased volume and increased x‐ray attenuation compared with ventral recumbency. Volume and x‐ray attenuation of the nondependent lung, however, were unchanged. In dorsal recumbency, there was a vertical gradient of x‐ray attenuation being increased dorsally and decreased ventrally compared with ventral recumbency where regional differences in x‐ray attenuation were not found. Results indicate a risk of overlooking a mass in the dependent pulmonary parenchyma of dogs in lateral and dorsal recumbency. Regional differences in x‐ray attenuation of the lungs of dogs can be avoided if the radiographs are obtained with the dog in ventral recumbency.