Crash Course:

Basics of Avian Radiography

The unique anatomy of birds grants radiography special diagnostic value in this species.
Radiolucent air sacs throughout the body can be evaluated and provide a high contrast
medium to soft tissues, thereby improving radiographic visualisation of coelomic organs.

Equipment

Ventro-dorsal Projection of an African Grey Parrot* Right Lateral Projection of an African Grey Parrot*
Due to the typically small size of the patient, high resolution
radiographs illustrating fine detail are required. To produce high
quality images, a high output generator with a small focal spot is
ideal; 300 milliamperes (mA) in combination with 40 – 90 peak
kilovoltage (kVp) range. Fine detail films and high definition *Due to anatomical variations between avian species referral to an avian anatomy textbook is recommended.
intensifying screens help to achieve better detail. Grids are not
necessary due to small patient size and the presence of air sacs,
which reduce scattered radiation. Assess the trachea Assess the
and syrinx, especially musculoskeletal Assess the Assess the Assess the lungs. Assess the urogenital Air sacs are
in patients with system for trauma trachea and musculoskeletal Normal lungs are system. Assess the radiolucent in
Radiographic Technique inspiratory dyspnoea. and abnormal syrinx, especially system for trauma, described as kidneys for size, shape the normal
To create a wide grey-scale range, a low kV technique (40 – Aspergillus radiopacity. in patients with arthritis and abnormal having a ‘honey- and radiopacity. patient.
55kV) combined with a high mAs (5 – 7mAs) and a short granulomas and inspiratory radiopacity. comb’appearance Radiologically Changes in
exposure time is recommended. Short exposure times are critical foreign bodies can dyspnoea – . Assess for changes detectable radio-opacity,
in reducing motion artefact caused by the rapid respiratory rate sometimes be aspergillus in radiopacity or pathology in this system the presence
Assess the cardiac granulomas and the presence of can include neoplasia, of radiopaque
of birds. Collimation is important to minimise scatter. Dental x-ray visualised
silhouette for size and foreign bodies masses. Masses are renal calcinosis, egg lines or loss of
systems can be useful for imaging the extremities of small birds, radiographically.
shape. In can sometimes commonly fungal binding and ovarian coelomic
but due to the low mA capacity of the generator and inability medium-sized Assess the crop for granulomas but cysts. In reproductively detail is
be visualised
to utilise a short exposure time, they have limited value for psittacines the width abnormal can also be active birds, the gonads indicative of
radiographically.
imaging the coelomic cavity. Assess the lungs. of the cardiac distension, gas or neoplastic or can increase quite pathology.
Normal lungs are silhouette on a VD foreign bodies. bacterial in origin. dramatically in size.
described as having view ( dotted line ‘x’)

Basic Radiographic Positioning

a ‘honey comb’ should be between
appearance. Assess 51-61% of thoracic
for changes in width when measured
• Fasting patient prior to radiography is recommended ; 2 radiopacity or the at the widest point5 (
hours for small birds and 3 – 5 hours for larger birds. presence of masses. dotted line ‘x+y+z’).
• Isoflurane anesthesia widely used to achieve correct Masses are An increased width
positioning and minimise stress. commonly fungal may be due to
• Paper adhesive tape or an avian restraint board can be granulomas but can conditions such as
used to achieve correct positioning. also be neoplastic pericardial effusion or
• Consider horizontal beam (‘bird in a box’) radiographs as or bacterial in origin. cardiomegaly. A
a screening tool for severely compromised patients. A proportion of the decreased width and
lung field is an angular and
superimposed by retracted shape may
the cardiac indicate a
silhouette in the VD microcardia
view so obtaining an associated with
orthogonal view is hypovolemia and
important. dehydration.

Assess the hepatic

silhouette for
widening or Assess the
asymmetry cardio-hepatic
(hepatopathy, silhouette. In most
compressive psittacine species,
pathology in caudal the silhouette is an
coelom including hour glass shape on
effusion, space the VD view with
occupying lesions the hepatic waist
Ventro-dorsal positioning of an African green pigeon and enlarged being marginally
Photo credit: Sarah Hochgeschurz wider than the
proventriculus).
• Dorsal recumbency. Generally, on the VD heart.
• Red dot indicates centre beam. view, the liver should
• Spine and keel vertically aligned. not extend laterally
• Head and neck extended.
beyond an imaginary
• Wings extended symmetrically to sides.
line connecting the Gastrointestinal
• Legs extended caudally.
• Acetabula and scapulae symmetrically aligned.
coracoid and tract and spleen
acetabulum (see are better visualised
dotted line ‘a’), but on the lateral
this is species projection due to
dependent. superimposition on
Assess the cardiac silhouette and major Assess the area The proventriculus, ventriculus, intestines and spleen
the VD view. The
vessels for size and shape. An increase in of the liver. Generally, in are better visualised on the lateral projection. The
presence
size may be due to conditions such as adult birds, the caudal presence of grit can facilitate locating the ventriculus.
of grit can facilitate
Air sacs are pericardial effusion or cardiomegaly. A margin of the hepatic The normal spleen can sometimes be visualised as a
locating the
radiolucent in the decreased size and an angular and silhouette should not spherical organ on the lateral view, an enlarged
ventriculus.
normal patient. retracted shape may indicate a extend past the caudal spleen can indicate infection. The normal
Intestines are not as
Changes in microcardia associated with hypovolemia tip of the keel. A proventriculus is sometimes visible
obviously visualised
radiopacity, and and dehydration. Artherosclerosis can decrease in the size of on the lateral view, and can distend pathologically in
Urogenital system. The kidneys are assessed most easily on a lateral projection. as in mammals
the presence of sometimes be visualised by an increased the air sacs may conditions such as proventricular dilatation disease or
The gonads are rarely visualised on either view but in reproductively active birds because they are
radiopaque lines radiopacity or calcification of the great indicate an lead toxicity. Intestines are not as visible as in mammals
can increase quite dramatically in size. Radiologically detectable pathology usually devoid of
are indicative of vessels on lateral view. organomegaly. because they are devoid of gas in the normal bird.
can include neoplasia, renal calcinosis, egg binding and ovarian cysts. gas.
pathology.

Right Lateral positioning of an African green pigeon

Photo credit: Sarah Hochgeschurz
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Special thanks
Dr Minh Huynh DVM DECZM (Avian) DACZM,

UK +44 (0) 1506 460 023 • IE +353 (0) 42 932 0070 • USA +1 (800) 210 9665 imv-imaging.com other resources Sarah Hochgeschurz and the Family Vet Clinic in
• Right lateral recumbency with wings extended dorsally, dependent www.imv-imaging.co.za info@imv-imaging.com +27 82 616 info@imv-imaging.com
4685 facebook.com/IMVimagingRSA twitter/IMVimaging assisting with the production of this poster.
wing positioned slightly cranially if required.
• Red dot indicates centre beam.
• Vertically aligned hip and shoulder joints.
• Vertically aligned pectoral girdle.
• Legs extended caudally – dependent leg may be positioned
slightly cranially.
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