Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Detecting lung nodules in dogs with cancer using X-rays and CT scans
By Armbrust, Laura J et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2012·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Comparison of three-view thoracic radiography and computed tomography for detection of pulmonary nodules in dogs with neoplasia.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 33 dogs with confirmed cancer (neoplasia) underwent tests to find out if they had lung nodules. The dogs were evaluated using standard X-rays and advanced CT scans. While CT scans detected lung nodules in 64% of the dogs, X-rays only found them in about 81% of those cases. The study found that CT scans were better at spotting these nodules, especially in large-breed dogs with osteosarcoma (a type of bone cancer). For these dogs, getting a CT scan is recommended if finding lung nodules could affect their treatment plan.
People also search for: dog lung nodules treatment · osteosarcoma in large dogs · CT scan for dog cancer detection
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare the detection of pulmonary nodules by use of 3-view thoracic radiography and CT in dogs with confirmed neoplasia. DESIGN: Prospective case series. ANIMALS: 33 dogs of various breeds. PROCEDURES: 3 interpreters independently evaluated 3-view thoracic radiography images. The location and size of pulmonary nodules were recorded. Computed tomographic scans of the thorax were obtained and evaluated by a single interpreter. The location, size, margin, internal architecture, and density of pulmonary nodules were recorded. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated for thoracic radiography (with CT as the gold standard). RESULTS: 21 of 33 (64%) dogs had pulmonary nodules or masses detected on CT. Of the dogs that had positive CT findings, 17 of 21 (81%) had pulmonary nodules or masses detected on radiographs by at least 1 interpreter. Sensitivity of radiography ranged from 71% to 95%, and specificity ranged from 67% to 92%. Radiography had a positive predictive value of 83% to 94% and a negative predictive value of 65% to 89%. The 4 dogs that were negative for nodules on thoracic radiography but positive on CT were all large-breed to giant-breed dogs with osteosarcoma. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: CT was more sensitive than radiography for detection of pulmonary nodules. This was particularly evident in large-breed to giant-breed dogs. Thoracic CT is recommended in large-breed to giant-breed dogs with osteosarcoma if the detection of pulmonary nodules will change treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22515629/