B-Mode and Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography Aspects of Benign and Malignant Superficial Neoplasms in Dogs: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is considered a promising technique for differentiation of benign and malignant tumors in humans. However, few studies have assessed superficial neoplasms in dogs by means of CEUS. The aim of this study was to identify ultrasonographic criteria evaluated by B-mode ultrasound (US) and CEUS that may be used to distinguish benign and malignant superficial neoplasms in dogs. A total of 63 superficial neoplasms from 59 dogs were evaluated using B-mode US and CEUS prior to histopathologic examination. Qualitative and quantitative parameters were compared between benign and malignant neoplasms by Fischer’s exact test or fixed effects model. With B-mode US, a significant difference was found for border definition, echogenicity and echotexture. With CEUS, a significant difference was found for the enhancement pattern at wash-in and the wash-out area under the curve at the center of the neoplasm. Malignant neoplasms had on average a lower regional blood volume during the wash-out phase compared to benign neoplasms. Despite these significant differences, there was a considerable overlap in B-mode and CEUS parameters between benign and malignant neoplasms. In conclusion, B-mode US and CEUS might contribute to malignancy prediction; however, based on individual ultrasonographic parameters, they seem unable to replace cytology or histopathology.

Ultrasound-Based Technologies for the Evaluation of Testicles in the Dog: Keystones and Breakthroughs

“…In veterinary medicine, CEUS has primarily focused on dogs, especially in assessing the liver and its vascularization [ 116 , 127 , 128 , 129 , 130 , 131 , 132 ], lymph nodes [ 129 , 133 , 134 ], kidneys [ 135 , 136 ], pancreas [ 137 , 138 ], eyes [ 139 , 140 , 141 ], spleen [ 117 , 142 , 143 , 144 , 145 ], and prostate [ 146 , 147 , 148 , 149 , 150 ]. These studies have examined normal and pathological aspects, differentiating between inflammatory, degenerative, and neoplastic lesions, while providing discrimination between benign or malignant conditions [ 106 , 119 , 151 ]. Some studies have also been performed on cats [ 86 , 152 , 153 ].…”

Modern Imaging Techniques in the Study and Disease Diagnosis of the Mammary Glands of Animals

“…In cases of metastatic lymph nodes, acoustic radiation imaging-elastography is the ideal method that may differentiate free and reactive tumour metastatic lymph nodes [ 122 ]. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound has improved the diagnostic possibilities regarding mammary abnormalities, as contributes to malignancy prediction [ 123 ]. Last but not least, MRI and PET are promising methodologies that have been applied to companion animals [ 4 , 8 ]; however, high equipment costs limit their application in clinical practice [ 3 , 4 ].…”

The Importance of Ultrasonography in the Evaluation of Mammary Tumors in Bitches

“…For the evaluation of mammary tumors on conventional ultrasonography, several parameters have been assessed by different authors. Sonographic features evaluated are: size, width to length ratio (W/L); shape; margins; limit, nodule/mass echogenicity compared to the surrounding tissues; echotexture; presence or absence of hyperechoic halo; presence or absence of distal acoustic enhancement or shadowing; and invasiveness [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35].…”