Computed Tomography Evaluation of Normal Canine Abdominal Lymph Nodes: Retrospective Study of Size and Morphology According to Body Weight and Age in 45 Dogs

Abstract

The morphological characteristics of the largest lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes of the body have been described through ultrasonography, although food and gas in the gastrointestinal tract can often have negative effects on the response of small abdominal structures. The aim of the study was to describe the size of normal abdominal lymph nodes (ALs) in dogs affected by disease, not including lymphadenomegaly or lymphadenopathy, and divided according to body weight and age. The ALs studied included the jejunal, medial iliac, portal, gastric, splenic, and pancreaticoduodenal lymph nodes. Statistical correlation considering body weight and age as continuous variables showed that all measurements of the ALs increased according to body weight changes (p < 0.01). The most reliable values were the volume measurements (p < 0.001) compared to the length, thickness, and width. Mixed results emerged from a comparison of weight categories and age; only the jejunal lymph nodes showed a significant correlation (p < 0.05). Other characteristics (shape, attenuation, and enhancement) are subsequently reported. The resulting data can be used to categorize CT measurements of normal ALs displayed based on the body weight and age of the subjects. This study aimed to propose a new parameter of normalcy that may serve as a reference for the evaluation of infectious or neoplastic events.

CT features of gastrointestinal spindle cell, epithelial, and round cell tumors in 41 dogs

“…As already described in the literature, spindle cell tumors appeared as large masses, showing the largest maximal dimension compared to the other two tumor categories, and in two cases this represented a significant limitation in assessing the origin of the mass on CT images 13–34 …”

“…Evaluated US features were lesion echogenicity (hyperechoic, hypoechoic, or mixed), echotexture (homogeneous or heterogeneous), loss of gastrointestinal wall layering, and presence of ulceration, defined as a focal mucosal defect or “crater” and/or presence of gas bubbles within the gastrointestinal wall 22,23 . Lymphadenomegaly was considered present when lymph nodes' thickness was greater than the maximum thickness values previously reported according to body weight 24 . The location of lymphadenomegaly was defined as regional (confined to the regional lymphatic drainage area of the tumor) or widespread (beyond the area of regional lymphatic drainage).…”

“…22,23 Lymphadenomegaly was considered present when lymph nodes' thickness was greater than the maximum thickness values previously reported according to body weight. 24 The location of lymphadenomegaly was defined as regional (confined to the regional lymphatic drainage area of the tumor) or widespread (beyond the area of regional lymphatic drainage).…”

Oesophageal pneumatosis: computed tomographic characteristics in three dogs (2018–2021)

“…Mural contrast enhancement was subjectively assessed as either normal or absent. Lymphadenopathy was assessed comparing the available literature data on canine lymph node measurements (Beukers et al., 2013 ; Iwasaki et al., 2016 ; Milovancev et al., 2017 ; Stehlík et al., 2020 ; Teodori et al., 2021 ). Additional CT findings were also recorded when considered relevant by the authors (e.g.…”

Surgical management of urethral obstruction secondary to perineal liposarcoma in a dog: a case report

“…The urethra showed continuous contrast filling and overall homogeneous diameter without signs of irregular inner wall layering. Inspection of the regional lymph nodes showed a slight asymmetry between the right and left medial iliac lymph node (13 mm x 12 mm x 25 mm versus 5 mm x 11 mm x 20 mm mediolateral x dorsoventral x craniocaudal), eventhough their size was within the normal range [16]. The remainder of the CT showed unspecific heterogeneous splenomegaly and multifocal degenerative skeletal changes.…”