Pediatric abdominal ultrasonography.

Pediatric patients are commonly presented to the veterinarian because of signs referable to the abdominal cavity caused by congenital anomalies,dietary indiscretion, parasitic infestation, and infectious disease. Abdominal ultrasound provides valuable clinical information about the peritoneal cavity, great vessels, abdominal viscera, and lymph nodes,which is obtained in a noninvasive fashion and usually does not necessitate sedation or anesthesia. Ultrasonography thus greatly facilitates diagnostic evaluation of the pediatric patient. Ultrasound equipment already in place in many small animal veterinary clinics is appropriate for most pediatric cases.