Dr. Norman Ackerman served the University of Florida, College of VeterinaryMedicine with distinction as Professor of Radiology from 1979 to 1994. Aconcerned teacher of veterinary students and residents of all disciplines, Dr.Ackerman also reached the veterinary scientific community through his writing.His numerous clinically pertinent publications are still today a vital part of theveterinary literature; therefore, it is appropriate this site perpetuates DrAckerman’s dedication to teaching. This site is presented in recognition of Dr.Norman Ackerman and his contributions to the field of veterinary diagnosticimaging.

Sponsorship of the display supports the Dr. Norman Ackerman Memorial Fund,dedicated to the teaching of diagnostic imaging residents at the University ofFlorida College of Veterinary Medicine.

• Male Gopher tortoise

NORMAN ACKERMAN

MEMORIAL

RADIOGRAPHY CASE

CHALLENGE

JULY’13

SIGNALMENT

• Male Gopher tortoise

• Undetermined age

• Found in a yard

• Contusions and hemorrhage on phallus, cloaca, and right

prefemoral fossa

• You ordered radiographs

Laterolateral

Craniocaudal

Dorsoventral

What are your radiographic findings?

Radiographic findings

� Within the left mid-coelom, there is a 9 cm, round,

mineral opaque structure, with concentric lucent and

mineral opaque rings;

� The colon is subjectively distended and contains a large

volume of heterogenous, gas and mineral opaque fecal

material.

Main radiographic findings

� Mineral opaque structure within the left mid-coelom

Main radiographic findings� Subjectively distended colon which contains heterogenous, gas

and mineral opaque fecal material.

What is your conclusion?

1. Large cystolith.

2. Probable constipation.

What is your conclusion?

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

• Tortoises have a bilobed and highly elastic urinary bladder.

• Cystoliths can be an incidental finding on this species.

• Cystolisths have been associated with cloacal prolapse and

dystocia in reptiles.

• The presence of the large cystolith and the inflamed and enlarged

phallus and cloaca may contribute to a degree of constipation.

REFERENCES

• Miller HA. Urinary Diseases of Reptiles: Pathophysiology and

Diagnosis. Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine, Vol 7, No 2

(April), 1998: pp 93-103.

• Wellehan JF, Gunkel CI. Emergent Diseases in Reptiles. Seminars

in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine, Vol 13, No 3 ( July), 2004: pp

160-174.

The end