Comparison of Abdominal Computed Tomography and Abdominal Ultrasound in Sedated Dogs

Abstract

Abdominal ultrasound (US) is used frequently as a first-line screening tool for abdominal disease. Although computed tomography (CT) is superior to US in the diagnosis of some abdominal diseases, a major impediment is the requirement of general anesthesia to prevent motion and for safe restraint. With multidetector helical CT, faster examinations allow general anesthesia to be avoided, while producing diagnostic-quality images. Abdominal US and CT were compared for lesion detection in 27 sedated dogs, divided into three even groups based on body weight. Lesions were categorized further as to subjective clinical relevance. In dogs less than 25 kg, there is no significant difference in lesion detection between CT and US. In dogs weighing greater than 25 kg, more lesions were detected with CT than with US (P = 0.0001), including clinically relevant lesions (P = 0.0277). From these results, it appears that CT has an advantage in lesion detection in dogs greater than 25 kg, making it a better screening test for abdominal disease in these patients.

Computed Tomography of the Prostate Gland in Healthy Intact Dogs and Dogs with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

“…The CT examination allows a precise diagnosis of many disorders and is comparable with or superior to other imaging modalities (Schwarz and Saunders ; Fields et al. ). The CT examination provides information about the location and morphological features of the prostate gland.…”

“…; Schwarz and Saunders ; Fields et al. ). There is limited data on the CT evaluation of the prostate gland in dogs (Dimitrov et al.…”

CT attenuation values and mineral distribution can be used to differentiate dogs with and without gallbladder mucoceles

“…Recent research has also shown the migratory capacity of extruded gallbladder mucoceles in the abdomen as identified on abdominal ultrasound . Although mucoceles are readily detected using ultrasonography, relative to CT, it can result in longer scan times, greater patient discomfort from physical compression of the ultrasound probe, and incomplete evaluation of the abdomen in large patients . Thus, CT could allow faster and more complete abdominal evaluation for these patients, but scientific investigation of canine biliary contents in veterinary medicine using CT is minimal .…”

Assessment of 3 Bowel Preparation Protocols for Computed Tomography Pneumocolonography in Normal Dogs

“…Computed tomography (CT) of the bowel has been described in the dog but is not always recommended for assessment of the colorectum because the presence of fecal material can limit accurate identification of lesions. Even when the bowel is empty, collapse of the gastrointestinal lumen and contraction of the muscular wall restricts assessment of wall thickness and lesion extent on both unenhanced and contrast‐enhanced CT. A noninvasive, low‐risk technique of CT imaging of the large bowel with luminal insufflation of gas (CT pneumocolonography) is used in people to improve visual assessment of lesions, and a technique for CT pneumocolonography has been described in a cohort of normal dogs …”