Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Using contrast ultrasound to tell benign from malignant spleen lumps
By Ohlerth, S et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2008·Vetsuisse Faculty·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Contrast harmonic imaging characterization of canine splenic lesions.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 60 dogs with splenic problems were examined using a special ultrasound technique called contrast harmonic imaging to help determine if their splenic lesions were benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The study found that malignant lesions often appeared with moderate to extensive hypoechogenicity, meaning they looked darker on the ultrasound, while benign lesions showed different patterns. However, both types of lesions could enhance similarly during the imaging process, making it hard to distinguish between them based solely on this method. Ultimately, a biopsy or further testing was necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
People also search for: dog splenic lesions ultrasound · canine splenic cancer signs · how to diagnose dog spleen problems
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although B-mode ultrasound is very sensitive for the detection of splenic lesions, its specificity is low. Contrast harmonic imaging is used successfully to differentiate benign from malignant liver lesions in humans and dogs. HYPOTHESIS: Contrast harmonic imaging could be useful to differentiate benign and malignant splenic lesions in dogs. ANIMALS: Sixty dogs (clinical patients) with splenic abnormalities detected during abdominal ultrasonography. METHODS: A prospective study was performed with a Philips ATL 5000 unit for contrast pulse inversion harmonic imaging (mechanical index: 0.08, contrast medium: SonoVue). Perfusion was assessed subjectively and quantitatively. RESULTS: Cytology or histology identified 27 benign (hyperplasia, extramedullary hematopoiesis, hematoma) and 29 malignant (hemangiosarcoma, malignant lymphoma, malignant histiocytosis, mesenchymal tumors without classification, mast cell tumors, and others) lesions and 4 normal spleens. Except for 1 benign nodule, extensive to moderate hypoechogenicity was only seen in malignant lesions during wash-in, at peak enhancement, and during wash-out (P= .0001, odds ratios: 37.9 [95% CI 4.5-316.5], 66.4 [95% CI 8.0-551.1], and 36.9 [95% CI 4.4-308.4]). Although all but 1 benign lesion enhanced well and were mildly hypo-, iso-, or hyperechoic in comparison with the normal spleen during all blood pool phases, marked enhancement occurred both in benign as well as in malignant splenic lesions. Quantitative perfusion values did not differ significantly between benign and malignant lesions. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Moderate to extensive hypoechogenicity clearly identifies canine splenic malignant lesions. In nodules with marked enhancement, contrast harmonic ultrasound is of limited value and histology is needed.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18681923/