Evaluation of the Ureteral Jet Using Doppler Ultrasonography in Dogs

Abstract

The ureteral jet is the phenomenon caused by forceful ejection of urine from the vesicoureteral junction (VUJ) into the urinary bladder. This study was performed to identify distinct ureteral jets using color Doppler ultrasonography (US), to provide insight into ureteral obstruction and to contribute to the study of the urodynamics and function of the ureter in dogs. Color Doppler US was applied to detect urinary flow from the right ureteral orifice in eight healthy beagle dogs. Under anesthesia, 0.9% saline (2.5 ml/kg/h) and diuretic (furosemide, 0.5 mg/kg) were administered intravenously in order to detect a distinct ureteral jet. In addition, the frequency, velocity, duration and waveform of the ureteral jets were recorded. In eight of the eight dogs (100%), the ureteral jet was clearly visualized from 2 min to 5 min (mean, 3.57 min

SD, ±0.90 min) under diuresis and anesthesia. The measured frequency, mean peak velocity and mean duration of the right ureteral jet in seven dogs were 9.86±3.09 jets/min, 34.07±10.02 cm/s and 2.82±1.08 s, respectively. One dog was excluded from the examination because of the different direction of the right ureteral jet. Six patterns of ureteral jet waveform were identified in seven dogs. Moreover, during the period measured at 10 min from the point to 10 min after the initial jet, only three waveforms were identified. The results showed that Doppler US for ureteral jet could be potentially useful in assessing ureteral abnormalities, such as obstruction, ectopic ureter and function of the ureter in dogs.