Examination of abdominal organs and diagnosis of deficient septum transversum in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., using diagnostic ultrasound imaging

The use of diagnostic ultrasound for non-invasive diagnosis of hypoplasia or aplasia of septum transversum in farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., is described. This investigation shows that this method is fast and accurate (sensitivity = 100%; specificity 97.87%). We therefore recommend the method to be used both experimentally and in the field. As the causes of this malformation are unknown, it is recommended that broodfish with this anomaly should be excluded from the broodfish pool.