Abstract

The anatomy and physiology of aquatic mammals are decidedly unique, as are the challenges facing veterinarians entrusted with their care. Medical management of bottlenose dolphins in human care relies heavily on the use of diagnostic imaging techniques. To date, there exists no clinical reference of such images. This work was carried out to create such a tool, by compiling selected Tursiops truncatus ultrasonography, endoscopy, radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging data into one cohesive visual resource.

The resulting product is a three CD-ROM set, which contains the digital atlas itself as a PowerPoint® presentation and includes 35 supplemental video files as well as an instructional text document. Like all PowerPoint® presentations, this atlas is intended to be viewed in a slide show format. It is not, however, meant to be delivered as a presentation, since each slide has a great deal of text and many visual details. Instead, through the use of active hyperlinks on each slide, it encourages an independent user to navigate through images, video clips, and text in an interactive fashion. The individual can launch a directed search for specific information, either by choosing an imaging modality (i.e., ultrasonography) or an anatomical region (i.e., thorax). Alternatively, a user interested in a more global scan of the material can elect to navigate sequentially through the series of slides.

This much-needed reference was designed to allow individuals involved in Tursiops health care to easily access a set of normal diagnostic images. The atlas serves as a self-guided teaching tool, and its introduction to the aquatic animal medicine community is aimed at disseminating this clinically pertinent information to all interested veterinarians, veterinary students, veterinary technicians, and trainers.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Office of Naval Research through the 2003 Naval Research Enterprise Intern Program, in collaboration with the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center San Diego. The authors wish to give special thanks to Michelle Reddy, Dr. Jim Rohr, Dr. Sam Ridgway, and Dr. Bob Gisiner, as well as all of the veterinary, animal care, and training staff at SSC San Diego whose work contributed to the acquisition of these images.