Using cardiac-gated CT to find right heart masses in 12 dogs

Abstract

The cardiac-gated computed tomography (CT) scan reports of 12 dogs with right auricular appendage masses between 2018 and 2023 were reviewed to describe the use of cardiac-gated CT for assessment of right auricular appendage tumour location and extent and for staging. Imaging reports from thoracic radiographs, CT scans, abdominal ultrasound, and echocardiogram were evaluated for detection of a cardiac mass, mass location on the heart, and detection and location of suspected metastases. Surgery and necropsy reports were evaluated for definitive location of the cardiac mass. Descriptive statistics were performed. Cardiac-gated CT identified a mass that was confined to the right auricular appendage in seven dogs and involved additional cardiac structures in five dogs. Metastases were suspected on CT in 10 dogs. Surgery with the intent to remove the mass for cytoreduction was pursued in five dogs. Right auriculectomy was performed in four dogs. One dog whose mass was suspected to extend beyond the right auricular appendage on CT died during attempted surgical resection. Cardiac-gated CT helped guide clinical decision making by providing information about the location and extent of the mass to assess feasibility of surgical resection and also functioned as a sensitive staging test.