Virtopsy of a gravid Boa constrictor using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gascho, Dominic; Hetzel, Udo; Schmid, Nicole; Martinez, Rosa M; Thali, Michael J; Richter, Henning
• Is Part Of: Veterinary and animal science. Volume 10(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Computed tomography -- Magnetic resonance imaging -- Boa constrictor -- Virtopsy -- Postmortem imaging -- Virtual necropsy; BIBD boid inclusion body disease -- RAVs reptarenaviruses -- CT computed tomography -- MRI Magnetic resonance imaging -- kVp kilovoltage peak -- mAs milliampere seconds -- TR repitition time -- TE echo time -- ms milliseconds -- IHC immunohistochemical
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2020.100150
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2451-943X

Abstract

Highlights: CT and MRI of a gravid boid inclusion body disease positive Boa constrictor CT delineated the fetal skeleton inside the adult snake's body Gas formations in the fetal cranium were deemed radiologic signs for decomposition MRI delineated the soft tissue and organs of the Boa constrictor and its fetus ABSTRACT: This article presents radiologic examinations of a deeply sedated Boa constrictor with boid inclusion body disease (BIBD) as an adjunction to the subsequent necropsy. This method is known as virtopsy. The Boa constrictor in the present case was gravid. Computed tomography (CT) allowed for the detailed depiction of a fetal skeleton at the rear end of the adult snake. Furthermore, tiny gas formation was detected inside the cranium of the fetus, which was deemed a radiologic sign for decomposition. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) delineated the soft tissue at high resolution. This article illustrates the use of CT and MRI for the examination of a gravid Boa constrictor before necropsy and demonstrates the detection of "normal" postmortem findings leading to the confirmation of fetal death in situ. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: Image, graphical abstract