Elastographic and echotextural characteristics of foetal lungs and liver during the final 5 days of intrauterine development in dogs

Abstract

Objective was to evaluate the echotexture and characteristics during terminal development of canine foetal respiratory and hepatic systems through elastographic examinations. Fifteen pregnant bitches were evaluated by ultrasonography twice daily, from the 53rd gestational day until whelping, and images obtained from 120 to 0 h before parturition were analysed. Images of foetal lungs and liver were recorded and then used for computer-assisted analyses to determine quantitative attributes. Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) elastographic of internal organs were classified as 'soft' (white areas) or 'hard' (dark areas) and quantitative analyses determined the mean shear wave velocities (SWV) of foetal lungs and liver. After delivery, canine neonates were clinically evaluated, and their health status was monitored weekly until 60 days post-partum. Sonographic parameters over time were compared by ANOVA and Pearson's correlations were used to determine associations between SWVs and echotextural variables. Foetal lungs and liver had a homogeneous echotexture and pulmonary parenchyma appeared hyperechoic when compared with that of the liver. Mean numerical pixel values (NPVs) of lungs decreased from 120 to 24 h and subsequently increased until parturition (P = 0.04). Lungs and liver mean (± SD) SWVs (0.98 ± 0.12 and 0.84 ± 0.11 m/s, respectively) didn't vary (P > 0.05) over time. Fluctuations in pulmonary NPVs indicated there was a pattern corresponding to structural and functional changes that occur during the terminal stage of pre-natal canine development and hence can be a useful diagnostic tool in veterinary. Foetal lung and liver SWVs were relatively consistent and there was no detectable changes during the pre-partum period for this variable or in echotexture.

Comparison of fetal and maternal tissue elasticity between euploid and aneuploid pregnancies by shear wave elastography

“…In the literature, research is reported on the fetomaternal elastographic evaluation of dogs, sheep, and baboons 11–13 . A limited number of human studies include healthy pregnancies, pregnancies with hypertensive disorders, and fetal abnormalities, investigating the elasticity of the placenta, fetal lungs, liver, brain, and myocardium 14–20 .…”

Ultrasonography of the nuchal translucency of healthy and abnormal English Bulldog fetuses

“…Ultrasonography was performed in the pelvic region, proceeded to the left abdominal region, and then to the right abdominal region, aiming to examine and differentiate all fetuses. The image adjustments (focus, gain, and depth) were adequate for each fetus, with a maximum depth of 4 cm ( Simões et al, 2018 ).…”

Advanced ultrasound techniques in small animal reproduction imaging

“…Some other studies of ARFI and shear wave elastography in dogs with mammary tumours have shown that elastographic values for malignant tumours were significantly higher compared to benign tissues, indicating that this may be a useful technique for determining benign from malignant mammary lesions (Feliciano et al, , , ; Glińska‐Suchocka et al, ). Canine foetal lungs and liver were studied with ARFI elastography during the final 5 days of intrauterine development (Rodrigues Simões et al, ).…”