Small Animal Radiology and Ultrasound: A Diagnostic Atlas and Text

P R E F A C E
We (RLB and DAF) are the co-authors of this edition and are solely responsible
for its contents. We are grateful to Dr. Norman Ackerman–our good friend and
the co-author of prior editions of this book–for his previous contributions
This edition was written to further the original goal of the first book (i.e., to be a pictorial
atlas that illustrates the radiographic and sonographic abnormalities of the common
diseases of dogs and cats). The complementary role that radiography and sonography
share is difficult to demonstrate in a limited number of illustrations, but it should be
emphasized that in most cases both radiographic and sonographic information should be
obtained and integrated to reach a complete diagnosis. As before, the text is offered to supplement
the pictorial information.
We continue to believe that every radiographic study should have at least two views
taken at right angles to each other and that every sonographic study should have multiple
imaging planes assessed. However, due the limitations of cost, we have limited the images
in the book to those best illustrating the lesions. We have also excluded computed tomography,
magnetic resonance imaging, and nuclear scans. Access to these modalities is still
limited, but they are becoming more available and we anticipate that future editions will
need to include these modalities.
As in the previous books, the author with primary responsibility for an area was
accorded final discretion relative to the method of presentation and ultimate importance
of specific material. Fortunately, disagreements were rare.
We appreciate all the work done by those who have directly or indirectly helped with
this project. We hope that we do sufficient honor to all those who have contributed to the
literature in our extensive references. We are deeply indebted to those individuals and
institutions (Henry Bergh Memorial Hospital of the ASPCA, Purdue University, University
of Missouri, University of Georgia, the University of Minnesota, and the Animal Medical
Center) that have provided training and support in our past. We are also grateful to our
current institutions (Veterinary Specialists of South Florida and the University of
Minnesota) for their support. We are particularly grateful to Tacy Rupp, DVM, DACVIM
(Cardiology), for her review of the material on echocardiography. Any errors in this area
are solely Dr. Burk’s responsibility.
Finally, we are exceedingly grateful to our spouses (Lisa Burk, VT, and Janet Feeney, BS)
for their support, patience, and encouragement. We are both very lucky to have someone
who has the love and patience to endure the trial that is a book.
Ronald L. Burk, DVM, MS
DACVR (Radiology, Radiation Oncology)
Daniel A. Feeney, DVM, MS
DACVR (Radiology)
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