Possibilities for application of instrumental investigation methods in veteri-nary medicine. Instrumental investigations are absolutely necessary both in human and veterinary medicine for proper establishment of diagnoses as well as performing specific treatment. Present study is focused on most important instrumental investigation methods: ultrasonography and fiberoptic endoscopy.
Ultrasonography is one of the most efficient methods in medicine which allows to make proper diagnoses, perform directed needle biopsies and monitor disease dynamics.
Varying success has been reported when ultrasonography was used in veterinary medi-cine by different investigators (W. G. Zoller et al., 1992). Majority of authors recommend to remove hair and apply special gel to minimise air between transducer and skin (L. J. Konde et al., 1984; T. G. Nyland et al., 1985; Nyland et al., 1995). Modern equipment EUB 450 (Hitachi, Japan) allows to use simultaneously liner and convex transducers even without removing hair (I. Kull and A. Nummert, 1996).
Fiberoptic endoscopy is an important invasive method which allows internal visualisa-tion of different organs followed by diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. At present it is the only routine method which allows complex imaging of gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts and is harmless for patients. For this purpose presence of fiberoptic endoscopes, manipula-tion skills as well as good instrument maintenance are needed.
Fiberoptic endoscopy procedures are usually well tolerated and there are no absolute contraindications. Slight premedication and topical anaesthesia are usually sufficient for suc-cessful investigation. Fiberoptic endoscopy allows to collect general visual information about organs, condition of mucosa, pattern of blood vessels as well as nature, localisation and activity of pathological processes. It is possible to collect body fluids and tissue specimens for further microbiological and histological studies by inserting biopsy brushes, needles or forceps via working channel of fiberoptic endoscope. Therefore fiberoptic endoscopy is essential for tumour diagnosis especially in early stages.
Indications for fiberoptic endoscopy in veterinary medicine could be mainly diseases of oesophagus (inflammation, ulcer, foreign bodies). Fiberoptic endoscopy allows to collect general visual information about organs, condition of mucosa, pattern of blood vessels as well as nature, localisation and activity of pathologial processes. It is possible to collect body fluids and tissue specimens for further microbiological, cytological and histological studies by inserting biopsy brushes, needles or forceps via working channel of fiberoptic endoscope. Therefore fiberoptic endoscopy is essential for tumour diagnosis especially in early stages.
Fiberoptic endoscopy could be used also for treatment like local application of drugs, dilatation of stenosis, hemostasis, removal of foreign bodies, etc. Electro-, cryo- or laserther-apy could be used for recanalisation in palliative purposes. Diagnosis and treatment of pathological processes in stomach, duodenum, rectum and colon should be considered as well.
Additional indication for fiberoptic endoskopy in veterinary medicine compared to human medicine could be diagnosis and treatment of endometrial inflammation.
