ESTABLISHING MARGINAL LYMPH NODE ULTRASONOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS IN HEALTHY BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS)

• DOI: 10.1638/2016-0251.1
• Publication Date: 2018-01-03T15:13:12Z
• Authors: Molly E. Martony; Marina Ivančić; Forrest M. Gomez; Jennifer M. Meegan; Hendrik H. Nollens; Todd L. Schmitt; Claire D. Erlache...; Kevin P. Carlin; Cynthia R. Smith
• Keywords: Bottlenose dolphin; Thorax (insect anatomy)

Pulmonary disease has been well documented in wild and managed dolphin populations. The marginal lymph nodes of the thorax provide lymphatic drainage to lungs can indicate pulmonary disease. This study standardized a technique for rapid, efficient, thorough ultrasonographic evaluation bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Thoracic ultrasonography was performed on 29 clinically healthy adult dolphins. Reference intervals node dimensions characteristics were determined from four transducer orientations: longitudinal, transverse, oblique, an orientation optimized ultrasonographer's eye. relationship between age, sex, length, weight, origin, management setting (pool versus ocean enclosure) also evaluated. mean measured 5.26 cm length (SD = 1.10 cm, minimum 3.04 maximum 7.61 reference interval [10th 90th percentiles per dimension] 3.78–6.55 cm) 3.72 depth 0.59 2.64, 5.38 2.98–4.50 cm). Sex, had no effect dimensions. Dolphins >30 yr age longer lengths than 5–10 old. Node did differ various origins. Most commonly, found be hyperechoic relative surrounding soft tissues (98%) have irregular caudal borders (84%), ill-defined deep (83%), flat superficial border (67%), triangular or rounded triangle shape (59%), cranial (55%), moderate heterogeneity (34%). data reported this serve as baseline that may contribute earlier detection pleural cetacean