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.

Ultrasound-guided aspiration of splenic lesions is a minimally invasive tool for obtaining specimens for cytologic evaluation. Although cytologic diagnoses often reflect histologic results, if missampling or incomplete sampling occurs or tissue architecture is required to distinguish between reactive and neoplastic conditions, accurate diagnosis with fine-needle aspiration may not be possible.

The use of ultrasound to measure small bowel thickness is an important part of any ultrasound examination of the abdomen. Increased thickness of the intestinal wall is a hallmark for the detection of diseases ranging from inflammatory bowel disease to neoplasia. Our subjective impression has been that dogs with no clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease often have sonographic measurements greater than published norms. The purpose of this study was to prospectively reevaluate these norms. The clinical history on all dogs receiving an abdominal ultrasound examination was evaluated for signs of gastrointestinal disease. Those without clinical signs were entered into this study. The documentation of body weight, breed, jejunal thickness, and duodenal thickness was made in 231 dogs. Dogs were placed into five groups based on their weight. Sixty-nine breeds were represented with weight ranging from 2.1 to 64 kg. A statistically significant (P < or = 0.05) correlation between body weight and both jejunal and duodenal thickness was observed. We also found that the maximum thickness in both jejunum and duodenum in healthy dogs was larger than previously reported. These data indicate norms for the jejunum of < or = 4.1 mm for dogs up to 20 kg, < or = 4.4 mm for dogs between 20 and 39.9 kg, and < or = 4.7 mm for dogs over 40 kg. The data indicate norms for the duodenum < or = 5.1 mm for dogs up to 20 kg, < or = 5.3 kg for dogs between 20 and 29.9 kg, and < or = 6.0 mm for dogs over 30 kg.

Ultrasonographic examination is a commonly employed technique for postoperative renal allograft evaluation after transplantation. Allograft size and resistive index (RI) are two objective ultrasonographic measures that may help establish a diagnosis and direct postoperative management for grafts with suboptimal function but their diagnostic efficacy has not been evaluated in clinical veterinary patients. Results of 69 feline renal transplant ultrasonographic examinations and RI determinations were studied. Based on clinical parameters at the time of the ultrasonographic examination, patients were grouped into six clinical/functional categories including evaluations of clinically normal grafts, delayed graft function, ureteral obstruction, uroabdomen, graft thrombosis, and rejection. RI, graft size (length, cross-sectional area, and volume), cyclosporine A whole blood trough concentration, Doppler blood pressure, creatinine concentration, and days from transplantation were compared between these categories and associations with each other were examined. RI was of little value in differentiating among the clinical categories with the exception of graft thrombosis. Graft volume and time from transplantation were significantly greater in grafts with signs of rejection and ureteral obstruction compared to clinically normal ultrasound examinations. Graft volume, cross-sectional area and length were generally associated. Cyclosporine A blood concentrations was associated with RI in both the pooled data and in the delayed graft function category. These results indicate RI should be used only as part of a larger clinical picture and in light of other factors including cyclosporine A concentration and the timing of the study relative to the implantation surgery for the diagnosis of postoperative transplantation complications. Graft volume may provide a more sensitive, albeit, nonspecific, indicator of allograft dysfunction.

A 10-week-old, male German shepherd dog was presented with a primary complaint of episodic ptyalism, dysphagia, vomiting, and mandibular salivary gland enlargement. An esophagram with fluoroscopy showed normal pharyngeal and esophageal function; however, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and cervical ultrasonography revealed a focal circumferential thickening of the midcervical esophageal muscular wall, consistent with esophageal spasm. The puppy responded dramatically and completely to phenobarbital treatment. An unusual syndrome of phenobarbital-responsive hypersialosis was consistent with this dog's clinical presentation and the finding of apparent esophageal spasm. The pathogenesis of this syndrome is unclear, but it may represent a form of limbic epilepsy or peripheral autonomic dysfunction.