Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ultrasound contrast helps spot malignant liver nodules in dogs
By O'Brien, R T et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2004·Department of Surgical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Contrast harmonic ultrasound of spontaneous liver nodules in 32 dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 32 dogs with liver nodules underwent a special ultrasound test using a contrast medium to help identify whether the nodules were benign or malignant. The results showed that the contrast-enhanced images made it much easier to spot malignant nodules, while benign nodules were less visible. This method proved to be very accurate, with no complications reported during the testing. Overall, contrast harmonic ultrasound could be a valuable tool for veterinarians to better diagnose liver nodules in dogs.
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Abstract
Thirty-two dogs with spontaneous hepatic nodules were given intravenous ultrasound contrast medium (Definity or Sonovue) and imaged with contrast harmonic software on a conventional ultrasound machine system. Digital video images were initially reviewed to describe the perfusion pattern of malignant nodules. The images were reviewed again to test this pattern against all individual nodules. Subjectively, there was improved conspicuity of malignant nodules after contrast enhancement compared with conventional imaging and increased numbers of malignant nodules were often noted. There was decreased conspicuity of benign nodules and no additional nodules were seen after contrast enhancement. There was a highly significant (P < 0.0001) association of malignancy with a hypoechoic nodule at surrounding normal liver peak contrast enhancement. Benign nodules were isoechoic to the surrounding normal liver at peak contrast enhancement. Only one benign nodule (hepatoma) had regions of hypoechogenicity compared with the surrounding normal liver at peak liver contrast enhancement. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were highly significant (P < 0.0001) (100%, 94.1%, 93.8%, 100%, and 96.9%, respectively). No complications or morbidity was noted throughout the course of the study. Contrast harmonic ultrasound appears to be accurate at discriminating between naturally occurring benign and malignant nodules in the liver of dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15605847/