Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How to tell if my pet has an eye tumor or inflammation?
By Lederer, Kristina et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2015·Department for Companion Animals and Horses·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Differentiation between inflammatory and neoplastic orbital conditions based on computed tomographic signs.
Plain-English summary
This study looked at how CT scans can help tell the difference between inflammatory conditions (like swelling) and tumors in the eye area of small animals, including cats, dogs, rabbits, and rodents. Researchers reviewed CT images from 52 animals that had either a confirmed diagnosis of inflammation or tumors, or were normal. They found that while there was some agreement among the observers about what they saw, it wasn't very strong overall. However, certain signs, like changes in the bones around the eye or fat around the eye, were more likely to indicate a tumor or inflammation. The researchers concluded that CT scans can be very specific for these conditions, but the results can vary because the images may not clearly show smaller structures.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify computed tomographic (CT) signs that could be used to differentiate inflammatory from neoplastic orbital conditions in small animals. ANIMAL STUDIED: Fifty-two animals (25 cats, 21 dogs, 4 rabbits, and 2 rodents). PROCEDURE: Case-control study in which CT images of animals with histopathologic diagnosis of inflammatory (n = 11), neoplastic orbital conditions (n = 31), or normal control animals (n = 10) were reviewed independently by five observers without the knowledge of the history or diagnosis. Observers recorded their observations regarding specific anatomical structures within the orbit using an itemized form containing the following characteristics: definitely normal; probably normal; equivocal; probably abnormal; and definitely abnormal. Results were statistically analyzed using Fleiss' kappa and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The overall level of agreement between observers about the presence or absence of abnormal CT signs in animals with orbital disease was poor to moderate, but was highest for observations concerning orbital bones (κ = 0.62) and involvement of the posterior segment (κ = 0.52). Significant associations between abnormalities and diagnosis were found for four structures: Abnormalities affecting orbital bones (odds ratio [OR], 1.7) and anterior ocular structures (OR, 1.5) were predictive of neoplasia, while abnormalities affecting extraconal fat (OR, 1.7) and skin (OR, 1.4) were predictive of inflammatory conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Orbital CT is an imaging test with high specificity. Fat stranding, a CT sign not previously emphasized in veterinary medicine, was significantly associated with inflammatory conditions. Low observer agreement probably reflects the limited resolution of CT for small orbital structures.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25091421/