Trans-cutaneous ultrasonography of the right kidney in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Thirty apparently healthy, adult female buffaloes were subjected to ultrasonographic examination of right kidney using a 3.5 MHz convex transducer to study the echotexture of the right kidney and to measure the dimensions of the various structures of the kidney. The transducer was placed in the paralumbar fossa, last intercostal space and the lumbar region (between the last rib and the 1^st lumbar transverse process and the 1^st inter lumbar transverse process space) on the right side. The echogenicity of the renal parenchyma, medullary pyramids and sinus of the kidneys were variable. The capsule and the lobules were discernible in the ultrasonogram. The cortex could not be differentiated from medulla. The vertical diameter of the right kidney was smaller than horizontal diameter. The vertical diameter was 6.84±0.26 cm, whereas the horizontal diameter was 8.68±0.29 cm. Similarly, the width of the sinus was greater than its thickness. The sinus was 3.48±0.18 cm thick and 4.8±0.28 cm wide. The thickness of the corticomedullary tissue was 1.95±0.07 cm on the dorsal and 2.24±0.10 cm on the lateral side. The length of the kidney could not be measured. The findings of this study may be used as references for ultrasonography of the right kidneys in buffaloes.