Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Bright ultrasound spots at the stomach-intestine junction
By Balducci, Jamie et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2024·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hyperechogenicity of the pyloroduodenal junction in small dogs: Population prevalence in 175 dogs and histological correlation in 14 specimens.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study looked at 175 small dogs, weighing less than 25 pounds, to see how often a specific ultrasound finding called hyperechogenicity (increased brightness) at the pyloroduodenal junction (the area where the stomach meets the small intestine) occurred. They found that 85.7% of these dogs showed this change, but it didn't seem to be linked to factors like age, sex, or vomiting. The researchers believe this finding might be a normal variation in the tissue structure of these dogs. If your dog has been experiencing vomiting or other digestive issues, it's worth discussing these ultrasound findings with your vet for further evaluation.
People also search for: small dog vomiting causes · dog ultrasound results explained · pyloroduodenal junction issues in dogs
Abstract
At the pyloroduodenal junction (PDJ), an increase in wall echogenicity is frequently observed. A prospective study was performed to assess the PDJ sonographically in 175 adults and small dogs (>1 year old, <11.4 kg (25 lb)) over 12 months to evaluate the prevalence of this finding. Additionally, changes in echogenicity were correlated with histology in 14 postmortem specimens. A scoring system of echogenicity change centered on the mucosa and submucosa of the PDJ was implemented; 0: no change, 1: mild, 2: moderate to marked. Other included parameters were age, sex, breed, gastric distention, gastric contents, and reported vomiting at the time of presentation. Hyperechogenicity of the PDJ was highly prevalent (scores 1 and 2: 85.7%). No statistical association between hyperechogenicity of the PDJ and age, sex, gastric distention, gastric contents, or vomiting was identified. Hyperechogenicity of the PDJ is thought to represent an anatomical transition zone, and based on histology, hyperechogenicity of the PDJ may represent a variation in distribution and amount of fibrous connective tissue, glandular number, and glandular dilation within the submucosa and mucosa.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38372070/