Ultrasound examination and guided fine-needle aspiration of the liver in amazon parrots (Amazona species)

Cynthia Nordberg, Robert T. O'Brien, Joanne Paul-Murphy, Blake Hawley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Techniques for ultrasound imaging and percutaneous, ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of the liver were initially tested on 5 Amazon parrots. The techniques were then applied to 27 clinically normal Amazon parrots. Each of the 27 birds was anesthetized with isoflurane and placed in dorsal recumbency with the head elevated 30°. Optimal imaging of the liver was achieved by cranially directing a 7.5-MHz pediatric mechanical sector transducer through a parasternal acoustic window. The normal sonographic appearance of the liver was evaluated. In each bird, an ultrasound-guided aspirate of the liver was collected by using a 22-gauge, 1-in needle connected to a 6-in extension set and a 3-ml syringe. Three techniques were used to collect the aspirates for cytologic evaluation, and the quality of the samples was compared microscopically. Samples with the lowest degree of hemodilution and the highest number and quality of hepatic cells were obtained by penetrating the liver parenchyma multiple times with the needle while simultaneously applying 0.5 ml of suction. Ultrasonographic examination of the liver 5 minutes after fine-needle aspiration revealed no hemorrhage in any bird. No morbidity or mortality occurred in any of the parrots during or after ultrasound imaging or ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of the liver.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)180-184
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of avian medicine and surgery
Volume14
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Amazon parrot
  • Amazona species
  • Liver
  • Percutaneous fine-needle aspiration
  • Ultrasound

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Small Animals

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