Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Using CT scans to identify types of pleural fluid in dogs
By Briola, Chiara et al.·Published in Research in veterinary science·2019·San Marco Veterinary Clinic and Laboratory, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Computed tomography attenuation value for the characterization of pleural effusions in dogs: A cross-sectional study in 58 dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old mixed-breed dog was diagnosed with fluid in the chest (pleural effusion) and underwent a CT scan to help determine the type of fluid present. The CT scan measured the fluid's density, which helped the veterinarian distinguish between different types of fluid: inflammatory, chylous (fatty), hemorrhagic (bloody), and transudate (non-inflammatory). The results showed that the CT scan was particularly effective at identifying hemorrhagic fluid and could differentiate it from other types. This information helped guide the treatment plan for the dog, leading to a more targeted approach for recovery.
People also search for: dog pleural effusion treatment · how to tell if dog has fluid in chest · CT scan for dog chest fluid
Abstract
CT attenuation value can help to differentiate exudate from transudate in people. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the utility of CT in characterizing pleural effusions based on attenuation values in a population of dogs having CT and diagnostic thoracentesis within 48 h of each other. The CT attenuation values were determined using four circular, same size, regions of interest (ROIs) placed on the same CT slice with the greatest quantity of fluid. Values of each ROI were recorded and the mean of the four ROIs mean values (mean of the means) was calculated and considered as the CT attenuation value of that patient. The final population included 23 proper inflammatory exudates, 15 chylous effusions, 12 hemorrhagic effusions and 8 transudates. The median of 'mean of the means' values were: exudate 19.22 HU (8.23 to 37.66 HU); chylous effusion 10.26 HU (-0.90 to 15.37); hemorrhagic effusion 31.65 HU (18.10 to 54.97), and transudate 11.20 HU, (-2.52 to 16.59). CT accurately differentiated hemorrhagic from chylous effusion (AUC 1.0, P < 0.0001) and hemorrhagic effusion from transudate (AUC 1.0, P < 0.0001); CT-values allowed good accuracy in distinguishing exudates from transudates [AUC 0.87 (95%, CI: 0.74-1.0; P < 0.0001)]. HU attenuation values did not accurately differentiate between transudates and chylous effusion. A cutoff value of 34.68 HU (sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 95%) discriminated between exudates and hemorrhagic effusions. CT-value <12.15 HU had a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 78% for identify transudate or chylous effusion.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31063900/