Quantitative evaluation of canine urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography

Abstract

BackgroundIn veterinary medicine, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography allowed the accurate quantification of liver, splenic and kidney vascularization in healthy dogs and the differentiation between malignant and benign hepatic, renal, and splenic nodules in dogs and cats based on perfusion patterns. The utility of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in other applications is still under study.The aim of this study was to develop diagnostic criteria by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in 8 client-owned adult dogs affected by urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma with definitive diagnosis made by cytopathologic evaluation after suction biopsy. The contrast enhancement pattern and the quantification of blood flow parameters of this tumor were reported.ResultsExaminations with B-mode, Doppler ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography were performed in all not sedated dogs. Assessments of bladder masses and bladder wall infiltration were performed. Each dog received 2 bolus injections of sulfur hexafluoride during the contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. Quantitative analysis of the contrast-enhanced ultrasonography images were performed. For each dog, one region of interest was manually drawn around the entire tumor. Software analysis of contrast-enhanced time-intensity curves was used to identify peak enhancement, time to peak enhancement, regional blood volume, regional blood flow, and mean transit time.Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography showed an avid enhancement of the tumour tissue, with a heterogeneous or homogeneous pattern. The exam also showed the loss of planes between the lesion and the muscular layer. The presence of vascularized tissue through the bladder wall confirms the infiltrative feature of the tumour. Post-processing quantitative analysis showed a time-intensity curve with a rapid wash-in, a low level of signal intensity and a slow wash-out.ConclusionsContrast-enhanced ultrasonography provided useful clinical information and defined a vascular enhancement patterns and calculated parameters associated with TCC. It may be a useful, noninvasive and reproducible tool for detecting these tumors in dogs.

Application of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in the urinary bladder: a case report

“…In the present case, the CEUS images showed a loss of planes between the lesion and the bladder wall layers, with disappearance of the hyper-enhanced submucosal layer and hypo-enhanced muscle layer due to the presence of the hyper-enhanced tumor tissue. The disruption of the bladder wall muscular layer by enhancing tumor tissue confirms the infiltrative feature of the tumor [14].…”

B-Mode and Contrast Enhanced Ultrasonography Features of Gastric Inflammatory and Neoplastic Diseases in Cats

“…Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is an imaging modality that could improve the diagnostic accuracy of standard US: the use of intravascular contrast medium (CM), like the second-generation ones, may improve the visualization of blood perfusion and microvascular architecture, allowing qualitative and quantitative vascular assessment of various organs in both physiological and pathological conditions in dogs and cats [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. Furthermore, CEUS has proved to be an extremely safe and well-tolerated technique [ 31 ].…”

“…Furthermore, CEUS has proved to be an extremely safe and well-tolerated technique [ 31 ]. In veterinary medicine, several studies have described the usefulness of this modality in the characterization of inflammatory and neoplastic diseases [ 16 , 18 , 19 , 21 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 32 ]. However, regarding the stomach, only one study has been conducted to investigate the reliability of low-mechanical index imaging compered to Doppler flowmetry for the assessment of gastric mucosal blood flow in healthy dogs, demonstrating the feasibility of CEUS quantitative evaluation in this organ [ 33 ].…”

Impact of Region- of-interest Size and Location on Quantitative Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound of Canine Splenic Perfusion

“…CEUS examination was performed, using a linear transducer (10-12-MHz) probe with contrast agent capability. The contrast agent, INN-sulphur hexa uoride (SonoVue ® , Bracco International, Milan, Italy), was prepared following the manufacturer's recommendations and was rapidly injected (0.05 mL/kg of body weight) via a three-way stopcock and 18-gauge catheter placed in a cephalic vein, in accordance with a methodology previously reported [28,29]. Each dog received two bolus injections of contrast agent, which were standardised and administered by the same investigator (SDP).…”