08/24/2026
Abdominal Ultrasound Case Highlight 💡
A patient was evaluated for lameness, and routine lab work revealed elevated liver enzymes. Because liver changes can be linked to endocrine disease, inflammation, or systemic illness, an abdominal ultrasound was recommended.
What makes this case especially meaningful is how the abnormalities were found. At Oncura Partners, every exam includes a dedicated sonographer who performs guided image acquisition and real‑time review. During this exam, the sonographer identified both adrenal glands — and while imaging the right adrenal, a vascular thrombus within the vena cava was discovered. This type of critical finding is often missed when images are taken without expert oversight.
🔍 Ultrasound Findings Identified Through Sonographer Review
• Severe enlargement of the right adrenal gland — associated with hyperplasia, endocrine disease, chronic illness, or neoplasia.
• Thromboembolism within the vena cava — discovered during adrenal imaging when abnormal Doppler flow was noted.
• Mildly rounded liver margins — suggestive of mild hepatomegaly, though the liver tissue appears normal.
• Bilateral mild loss of corticomedullary distinction — a non‑specific kidney change seen with chronic kidney disease, inflammation, or fat deposition.
• Cystic structure near the right kidney — identified during detailed review of the perirenal region; easily overlooked without targeted imaging.
🩺 Why This Matters Ultrasound is only as strong as the person acquiring and interpreting the images. Without sonographer‑guided imaging, this case could have been labeled “mild liver and kidney changes” — completely missing the thrombus, the cyst, and the significance of the adrenomegaly. These findings dramatically change the diagnostic plan, urgency, and clinical direction.
With Oncura’s model, every exam benefits from:
• Expert sonographer oversight
• High‑quality, targeted image acquisition
• Real‑time identification of subtle abnormalities
• Rapid board‑certified specialist interpretation
• Collaborative support for busy veterinary teams
This approach ensures critical findings — especially vascular abnormalities like thromboemboli — are caught early, allowing veterinarians to intervene sooner and with greater confidence.
Early imaging + expert review = fewer missed diagnoses, stronger clinical outcomes, and a higher standard of care.
