J Vet Sci.  2017 Sep;18(3):399-406. 10.4142/jvs.2017.18.3.399.

Evaluation of the ureteral jet in dogs by using color Doppler ultrasonography

• Oh H
• Kim S
• Kim S
• Lee J
• Yun S
• Yoon J
• Jung J
• Choi M

• KMID: 2412458
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2017.18.3.399

Abstract

Ureteral jets are the result of a forceful ejection of urine from the vesicoureteral junction into the urinary bladder. By using color Doppler ultrasonography (US), we aimed to identify distinct ureteral jets in dogs, provide insight into ureteral obstruction, and facilitate study of urodynamics and vesicoureteric sphincter function via pulsed Doppler US. Color Doppler US was applied to detect urinary flow from the right ureteral orifices in eight healthy beagles. Under anesthesia, 0.9% saline (2.5 mL/kg/h) and furosemide (0.5 mg/kg) were administered intravenously to assist in detection of distinct ureteral jets and examine their frequency, velocity, duration, and waveform. In all dogs, ureteral jets were visualized under diuresis and anesthesia within 2 to 5 min (mean 3.57 ± 0.90 min) of the furosemide injection. Mean frequency, peak velocity, and duration of right ureteral jets in seven dogs in whom six ureteral jet waveform patterns were identified were 9.86 ± 3.09 jets/min, 34.07 ± 10.02 cm/sec, and 2.82 ± 1.08 sec, respectively. During the 10 min period starting 10 min after the initial jet appeared, only three waveforms were identified. Color Doppler US of ureteral jets may aid in assessing vesicoureteric sphincter function and ureteral abnormalities, such as ureteral obstruction, in dogs.

Keyword

Doppler ultrasonography; dogs; ureteral jet; ureteral obstruction

MeSH Terms

Animals
Dog Diseases/diagnostic imaging
Dogs
Female
Male
Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color/*veterinary
Ureter/*diagnostic imaging/physiology
Ureteral Obstruction/diagnostic imaging/veterinary
Urination/*physiology

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Transverse ultrasonographic image of the urinary bladder showing two small elevations of the mucosal surface representing the ureteral orifices (arrows) on the dorsal aspect.

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  Fig. 2 Oblique ultrasonographic image of the urinary bladder clearly showing the orifice (A) and the jet flow (B). The anechoic area within the elevation represents the right ureter (arrows).

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  Fig. 3 Schematic diagram of the experimental procedure. *Period in which the jet is identified most distinctively.

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  Fig. 4 Spectral Doppler image of the right ureteral orifice. The peak velocity (c) is approximately 47.8 cm/sec, and the duration time (T) is 2.0 sec. The waveform is monophasic. a, point of commencement of the Doppler signal; b, termination of signal; V, velocity.

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  Fig. 5 The mean and standard deviation of the initial time of appearance of ureteral jets. Note that the jet phenomenon occurred in each dog (except Dog 8) within 5 min of injection of the diuretic.

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  Fig. 6 Six distinctive waveform patterns of the ureteral jet. (A) Monophasic waveform. (B) Biphasic waveform. (C) Triphasic waveform. (D) Polyphasic waveform. (E) Square waveform. (F) Continuous waveform.

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  Fig. 7 Mean ureteral jet duration in each dog and mean duration in all dogs (M).

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  Fig. 8 Spectral Doppler images of changing jet appearance and duration.

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  Fig. 9 Mean ureteral jet peak velocity in each dog and mean value in all dogs (M).

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