No abstract

The objective was to evaluate the accuracy of B-mode ultrasonography and ARFI elastography in detecting malignancy in canine splenic lesions. Thirty-seven spleens with abnormalities (16 benign and 21 malignant) from dogs of different breeds and ages were evaluated. Echogenicity, echotexture, organ length and height were evaluated using B-mode. By ARFI elastography, tissue stiffness was evaluated qualitatively (elastogram) and quantitatively (measuring the shear wave velocity—SWV). Lesions were classified as diffuse, focal or multifocal (cranial, medial or caudal portion) and comparisons of the SWV between the injured and non-injured areas were performed. In the B-mode, no features were associated to malignancy (P > 0.05). In the elastogram, 35 spleens were non-deformable and 2 deformable, having no association with malignancy. The greater SWV was observed in malignant lesions (3.4 ± 0.6 m/s), followed by areas free from alterations (2.1 ± 0.3 m/s) and benign lesions (1.7 ± 0.5 m/s), with difference between groups (P < 0.0001). It was found that a SWV > 2.6 m/s indicates malignancy of canine splenic lesions (sensitivity of 95%, specificity of 100%, PPV of 100%, NPV of 94% and accuracy of 97%), concluding that ARFI elastography is a promising technique for differentiating malignancy in these lesions.

Background Cutaneous and subcutaneous neoplasms are highly prevalent in dogs, ranging from benign to highly aggressive and metastatic lesions. The diagnosis is obtained through histopathology, however it is an invasive technique that may take a long time to obtain the result, delaying the beginning of the adequate treatment. Thus, there is a need for non-invasive tests that can help in the early diagnosis of this type of cancer. The aim of this study was to verify the accuracy of B-mode ultrasonography, Doppler, and ARFI elastography to predict malignancy in cutaneous and subcutaneous canine neoplasms. In addition, we aim to propose an ultrasonography evaluation protocol and perform the neoplasms characterization using these three proposed techniques. Results Twenty-one types of specific neoplasm were diagnosed, and using B-mode, we verified the association between heterogeneous echotexture, invasiveness, presence of hyperechoic spots, and cavity areas with malignancy. An increased pulsatility was verified in malignant neoplasms using Doppler (cut-off value > 0.93). When using the elastography, malignancy was associated with non-deformable tissues and shear wave velocity > 3.52 m/s. Evaluation protocols were proposed associating 4, 5, 6, or 7 malignancy predictive characteristics, and characterization was done for all tumors with at least two cases. Conclusions We concluded that ultrasonography methods are promising and effective in predicting malignancy in these types of tumors, and the association of methods can increase the specificity of the results.

In women, high-definition ultrasonography provides high-quality images of normal and diseased tissues throughout pregnancy, however there are no veterinary studies describing the use of this technology in pregnant dogs. The objective was to evaluate pregnant female dogs daily, using high-definition ultrasonography (HD) in brachycephalic, documenting daily findings of maternal-fetal structures. Twelve healthy brachycephalic females were evaluated daily by HD ultrasound until delivery. It was possible to identify and categorize all maternal, embryonic, and fetal structures and their development, including some fetal tissues not yet described in the literature. The HD exam is an excellent method to monitor the pregnancy of female dogs and identify structures early, providing safe and complete information regarding fetal development.

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the sedative effects in cats administered acepromazine–nalbuphine and acepromazine–butorphanol, intramuscularly (IM) and intravenously (IV), and the occurrence of adverse cardiorespiratory effects. Methods Forty-six cats were randomly divided into four groups and administered acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg) combined with nalbuphine (0.5 mg/kg) or butorphanol (0.4 mg/kg), IV (ACP-NALIV and ACP-BUTIV groups, respectively) or IM (ACP-NALIM and ACP-BUTIM groups, respectively). Sedation scores, ease of intravenous catheter placement (simple descriptive scale [SDS] scores), physiologic variables, venous blood gases and the propofol dose required for anesthetic induction were recorded. Results Mild sedation was observed in all groups approximately 30 mins after treatment administration (timepoint T1, prior to propofol administration). Sedation scores at T1 increased above baseline in all groups ( P <0.05), but no significant difference was observed among groups. Dynamic interactive visual analogue scale sedation scores (range 0–100 mm) recorded at T1 were (median [interquartile range]): ACP-NALIM, 12 (10–12); ACP-NALIV, 11 (6–16); ACP-BUTIM, 11 (7–14); and ACP-BUTIV, 12 (7–19). Overall, SDS scores did not change from baseline at T1 and there was no significant difference among groups. The propofol dose did not differ among groups. Blood gases remained within the reference intervals for cats. Significant decreases from baseline were detected for all groups in systolic arterial pressure (SAP). Mean ± SD values at T1 were (mmHg): ACP-NALIM, 108 ± 13; ACP-NALIV, 102 ± 10; ACP-BUTIM, 97 ± 13; and ACP-BUTIV, 98 ± 21. Arterial hypotension (SAP <90 mmHg) was recorded at T1 in 0/11, 1/13, 4/11 and 5/11 cats in groups ACP-NALIM, ACP-NALIV, ACP-BUTIM and ACP-BUTIV, respectively, and was further exacerbated after the induction of anesthesia with propofol. Conclusions and relevance In healthy cats administered acepromazine–nalbuphine and acepromazine–butorphanol, IM and IV, the degree of sedation was mild regardless of the protocol and the route of administration. The main adverse effect observed was a reduction in arterial blood pressure.

Background:  Patellar luxation is an alteration of bone development for which the indicated treatment is surgery. Failure to correct it may result in clinical worsening. The most commonly used surgical approach is the transposition of the tibial crest with trochleoplasty, which aims to accommodate 50% of the patella in the trochlea. The femoral groove and trochlea can be evaluated radiographically by tangential projection, tomography, or ultrasonography; however, all these methodologies have limitations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the depth of the trochlear groove in three regions and to compare it with the patellar diameter on simple mediolateral radiographic images.Materials, Methods & Results: Fifty non-paired pelvic limbs of adult dogs of a specific breed, weighing less than 40 kg and without orthopedic changes, were used. In the mediolateral radiographic projection, three evaluators measured the femoral trochlear sulcus at three different points and the patellar diameter. After imaging examinations, all limbs were skeletonized, and the trochlea and patella were measured with a digital caliper in the same regions as that of the radiographic measurements. All post-skeletonization calculations were performed by an evaluator. The highest mean radiographic and ex vivo trochlear depth was 3.4 ± 1.2 mm and 2.7 ± 0.8 mm, respectively. The lowest mean radiographic and ex vivo patellar diameter was 7.7 ± 1.7 mm and 7.9 ± 1.6 mm, respectively. The average relationship between the trochlear depth and patellar diameter was less than 50% in all animals, with the highest radiographically determined ratio being 44.15% and that determined ex vivo as 34.17%. The mean patellar diameter calculated radiographically was similar among the animals.Discussion: Radiographic images made it possible to assess the patella and bone surface regions of the femoral condyles. A wide arthrotomy is necessary to perform sulcoplasty, and a simple preoperative planning examination, which can facilitate the measurement of the trochlear sulcus, is important to correctly determine the procedure. The fragments evaluated after skeletonization and radiographic evaluations showed an average relationship between the trochlear depth and patellar diameter of less than 50%, thus indicating that sulcoplasty may not be necessary in animals with a ratio less than 50%. The radiographic measurements in this study used specific reference points that became more difficult to reproduce after skeletonization reducing the reliability of ex vivo data. A large variation in results was noted in each area of the measured groove, thus indicating that the trochlear measurements should be breed-specific and that it is necessary to reduce the amplitude and standardize the values. The depths in the postskeletonization limbs resulted in lower means than that obtained radiographically. Notably, articular cartilage cannot be measured using radiology; thus, image-based measurements can overestimate the trochlear parameters. Developing histopathological evaluations, determining cartilage thickness by race, and evaluating the association with measurements using imaging techniques can enhance the accuracy of the results. The methodology for measuring the diameter of the patella was radiographically reliable; however, the mean value obtained cannot be extrapolated to all animals. We thus recommend that this evaluation be standardized based on race and on a case-by-case basis. Based on the results obtained, there is wide variation in the depth of the trochlear groove in dogs. Trochleoplasty is important; however, it is essential that the surgeon determines whether this surgical trauma is necessary.

Background Cutaneous and subcutaneous neoplasms are highly prevalent in dogs, ranging from benign to highly aggressive and metastatic lesions. The diagnosis is obtained through histopathology, however it is an invasive technique that may take a long time to obtain the result, delaying the beginning of the adequate treatment. Thus, there is a need for non-invasive tests that can help in the early diagnosis of this type of cancer. The aim of this study was to verify the accuracy of ultrasonography methods to predict malignancy in cutaneous and subcutaneous canine neoplasms. In addition, we aim to propose an ultrasonography evaluation protocol and perform the neoplasms characterization using these three proposed techniques. Results Twenty-one types of specific neoplasm were diagnosed, and using B-mode, we verified the association between heterogeneous echotexture, invasiveness, presence of hyperechoic spots, and cavity areas with malignancy. An increased pulsatility was verified in malignant neoplasms using Doppler (cut-off value >0.93). When using the elastography, malignancy was associated with non-deformable tissues and shear wave velocity >3.52 m/s. Evaluation protocols were proposed associating 4, 5, 6, or 7 malignancy predictive characteristics, and characterization was done for all tumors with at least two cases. Conclusions We concluded that ultrasonography methods are promising and effective in predicting malignancy in these types of tumors, and the association of methods can increase the specificity of the results.

Objetivo. El objetivo de este informe fue describir los hallazgos clínicos, ecográficos y quirúrgicos, así como la terapia instituida, en un caso raro de torsión ureteral asociada a hidronefrosis y ureterolitiasis unilateral en un perro. Evaluacíon del paciente. Una perra de 9 años fue atendida con antecedentes de hinchazón en la región de la oreja y un tumor en la glándula mamaria número 5 de la cadena derecha. Durante el examen de ultrasonido para la estadificación del tumor, se observaron cambios en el riñón y el uréter izquierdo, como dilatación pélvica y ureteral, sedimento y estructura diverticular en el uréter. Las manifestaciones clínicas no fueron específicas del tracto urinario y no sugirieron estos cambios. Se realizó una laparotomía exploratoria que confirmó el diagnóstico ecográfico de sospecha y permitió identificar dos segmentos ureterales torcidos. Se realizó nefrectomía unilateral izquierda y, a los 15 días del postoperatorio, no se identificaron alteraciones urinarias ni de laboratorio. Conclusiones. Así, fue posible verificar los cambios en el uréter y riñón izquierdos antes del desarrollo de los signos clínicos, lo que permitió instituir la terapia adecuada de manera oportuna y prevenir la progresión de la enfermedad.