Evaluation of thoracic radiographic in full-term and premature lambs

Abstract

Immediately after the birth, the airways are rapidly cleared of liquid to allow the onset of air breathing. This initiates a cascade of physiologic changes to enable the lung to adapt to gas exchange. Pulmonary fluid production decreases over the last few days before natural delivery. Radiographs can help to evaluate the type, severity, and location of pulmonary disease. The infiltrates can be characterized as interstitial, alveolar, or bronchiolar patterns and as focal or diffuse. Interpretation of thoracic radiographs of the neonate can often be challenging because immature lungs can appear radiographically similar to diseased lungs. Extensive alveolar patterns generally indicate a severe respiratory disorder (atelectasis, respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia etc.), while the interstitial pattern commonly suggests an earlier or milder form of disease.

The aim of this study was to describe and compare the thoracic radiographic pattern changes in full-term and premature lambs.