THE CANINE LATERAL THORACIC RADIOGRAPH

Abstract

Selected structures seen on right and left lateral thoracic radiographs of 12 dogs were evaluated for differences in position, size, and shape. The size and position of the cardiac silhouette were different when thoracic radiographs made in left and right lateral recumbency were compared. These changes were, however, considered insignificant. The position of the right cranial lobe bronchus relative to the left varied in right lateral recumbency and left lateral recumbency. The right cranial lung lobe was better aerated when dogs were positioned in left lateral recumbency.Lesions seen in the caudal portion of the left cranial lung lobe or the right middle lobe were masked when the affected lobe was dependent, and enhanced when the affected lung lobe was non‐dependent. It is believed that this difference occurred due to compression of the dependent lung with greater aeration of the non‐dependent lung.