Comparative pilot study of radiography and computed tomography for the thorax of Shirazi cat

The purpose of this pilot study was to validate the use of computed tomography (CT) for documenting the anatomy of the thorax of Shirazi cats. We used 3 clinically normal adult Shirazi cats, which were screened for radiographic and CT views and then used for reference gross dissection. Thorax CT scan displayed through hundreds of views the thoracic cage, trachea, bronchi, lungs, heart, vessels, mediastinum, and pleural cavity not only on sagittal and coronal planes but also – and exceptionally – on a transverse plane providing precise and unique information that was unobtainable with radiographs. CT scan also provided soft and lung windows, both of which enabled proficient tracing of the position, shape, and size of all the thoracic structures. The obtained radiographic and CT findings in the thorax of the investigated cats have been compared, and several anticipated parameters of the two screening techniques were evaluated and discussed. Our results indicated that radiographic scans remain a fast and easy start point for thoracic examination enough for an emergency diagnosis, whereas CT images are superior to identify anatomical structures and subsequent clinical interpretation of the feline thoracic affections. Anatomical reference study of the thoracic CT images is proposed for all screening levels of Shirazi cat.