Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Contrast ultrasound helps find lymph nodes in dogs with head and neck
By Lurie, David M et al.·Published in Investigative radiology·2006·Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Contrast-assisted ultrasound for sentinel lymph node detection in spontaneously arising canine head and neck tumors.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 10 dogs with head or neck tumors underwent a new ultrasound technique using a special contrast medium to help locate sentinel lymph nodes, which can indicate if cancer has spread. In 8 of the dogs, the ultrasound successfully highlighted these important lymph nodes, and the results matched with another imaging method used in the study. One dog showed signs of cancer spread in the lymph nodes, while the others had reactive nodes, meaning they were responding to the tumor but did not show cancer. This new ultrasound method could make it easier to find these lymph nodes in the future.
People also search for: dog head tumor lymph nodes · canine cancer detection ultrasound · dog neck tumor treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate a minimally invasive contrast-assisted ultrasound (US) technique for sentinel lymph node (SLN) localization. METHODS: Microbubble contrast medium was injected into peritumoral tissues in 10 dogs with spontaneous head or neck tumors. Regional lymph nodes (LNs) were imaged up to 20 minutes after contrast administration using power Doppler US. Comparative lymphoscintigraphy studies were performed in all dogs by peritumoral injection of 99mTc-sulfur colloid administered around the primary lesion. RESULTS: US contrast enhancement of SLN revealed sentinel nodes and associated lymphatics in 8 of 10 dogs. In each instance in which contrast-enhanced LN was identified with US, a corresponding SLN was detected by lymphoscintigraphy. Multiple SLNs were present in 2 dogs. Regional lymph nodes were positive for metastasis in 1 dog and reactive in 9 dogs. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-assisted US is effective in localizing SLN. This technique could reduce or eliminate many of the limitations of current SLN detection procedures.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16523025/