Abstract
Rib fractures can be a common injury (25%) following a blunt (even minor) chest trauma and are generally revealed on radiographs.1 Chest radiography can be impossible, however, to perform in large animals like killer whales. During a control ultrasound (General Electric—Logiq e BT9 and Logiq V2 with a 2,5–5MHz convex probe) of a 17-year-old male killer whale weighing 2560 kg, a fracture at the level of the mid-section of the 3rd left rib was incidentally identified. Retrospective review of former ultrasounds showed no pathology. The development and evolution of the callus at the level of the fracture was followed over time. A second fracture, at the level of the 5th left rib, was identified 1,5 years later. The animal never showed any signs of pain or change in his blood work, but a small lump can be seen externally at the level of the first fracture. Ultrasonography, being more sensitive, can reveal more fractures than radiography and will reveal fractures otherwise unidentified in patients that are presented for a suspected rib fracture. Rib fractures have been described in stranded animals, also killer whales and a very comparable case (in this situation, three broken ribs with associated callus at the same level on the left side) can be seen on a stranded killer whale skeleton exposed at Port Nagoya Aquarium in Japan.
Acknowledgments
The author wishes to thank the Orca ocean trainers’ team and the veterinary team of Loro Parque, Tenerife, Spain and Port Nagoya Aquarium, Japan.
Literature Cited
1. Turk F, Kurt AB, Saglam S. 2010. Emerg Radiol. 17(6):473–477.