Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Comparison of computed tomography findings between perianal tumors originating from the anal sacs and perianal glands in dogs.
- Journal:
- Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association
- Year:
- 2025
- Authors:
- Jeong, Jeongyun et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging · South Korea
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
This study looked at different types of tumors that can develop around a dog's anus, specifically those that come from the anal sacs and those from the perianal glands. Researchers examined CT scans from twenty dogs with various tumors, including nine cases of a specific type of cancer called apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma, which typically grows on one side, and other tumors that usually grow on both sides. They found that while the growth patterns of these tumors were different, other CT features didn't help much in telling them apart. Although the best way to diagnose these tumors is still through a biopsy, the study suggests that looking at how the tumors grow on CT scans could be useful for distinguishing between these two types.
Abstract
Tumors originating from the anal sacs and perianal glands are common tumors of the perianal region. However, differentiation of perianal tumors based on CT findings remains challenging because perianal tumors can show overlapping CT characteristics. Therefore, this retrospective, multi-institutional study aimed to identify the CT findings that can differentiate between tumors originating from the anal sacs and perianal glands in canines. Twenty dogs were included, with nine apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinomas (AGASACAs), six perianal gland adenomas, three perianal gland carcinomas, and two perianal gland epitheliomas. The tumor CT features included the tumor growth pattern, tumor shape, cystic changes within the tumor, contrast enhancement pattern, displacement of the anus, and identification of the anal sacs. The prevalences of suspected metastatic lymphadenopathy of the iliosacral lymph centers and lung metastases were evaluated. The tumor volumes and values normalized to body weight were also assessed. The tumor growth patterns differed significantly between AGASACAs and perianal gland tumors. AGASACAs mostly showed unilateral growth, whereas perianal gland tumors mostly exhibited bilateral growth. CT features, except for the tumor growth pattern, failed to show significant differences between tumors arising from the anal sacs and those arising from the perianal glands. Although histopathological diagnosis remains the gold standard, this study's findings suggest that CT analysis of tumor growth patterns may help differentiate AGASACAs from perianal gland tumors.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39417417/