Ultrasonography in amphibians

Special anatomic structures of the amphibians ease the ultrasonographic examination (ie, skin, uncompartmented pleuro-peritoneal cavity, fluid within the celom). Heart, liver, gallbladder, fat bodies, stomach, intestines, gonads, kidneys, and bladder are displayable. Main differences to reptile sonography are the hyperechoic liver with only few large vessels, the large sinus venosus, the amount of follicles and ova within the ovaries, and therefore the problems in differentiation between ovary, liver, and fat bodies. The fat bodies of anura are finger-like projections in the celom. The bladder is always visible. Preferred technique involves applying the scanner with the patient in a water-filled plastic container.