Ultrasonographic tools used in the evaluation of the canine spleen: A review

Abstract

Herramientas ultrasonográfi cas usadas en la evaluación del bazo en caninos: Revisión de literaturaFerramentas ultrassonográfi cas para avaliação do baço em cães: Revisão da literatura AbstractThe spleen is one of the most susceptible organs to primary tumours, metastasis, and a wide range of diseases of the hematopoietic system. Therefore, detailed assessment of the spleen is of great importance in veterinary medicine, especially in dogs, due to their economic and sentimental value, and as an experimental model in human medicine. Considering the recent advances in diagnostic imaging in companion animals, this review aims to describe the applicability of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography (qualitative and quantitative), Doppler, and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for evaluating the spleen in dogs. The ARFI elastography is a recent ultrasound method that can provide reference values and aid in the diagnosis and evaluation of splenic abnormalities routinely encountered in veterinary practice. Conventional ultrasonography of the spleen combined with haemodynamic analysis by Doppler and contrast enhanced ultrasonography is an important tool in diagnosis and triage. Maronezi MC et al. Ultrasonography of dog spleen: A review ResumenEl bazo es uno de los órganos más propensos a desarrollar tumores, tanto primarios como metastásicos, y varias enfermedades que afectan el sistema hematopoyético. Es por eso que la evaluación clínica del mismo es de gran importancia en medicina veterinaria, principalmente en perros, debido a su valor económico, afectivo, y como modelo experimental en medicina humana. Considerando los recientes avances en imagenología diagnóstica, esta revisión tiene como objetivo describir el examen ecográfi co del bazo en perros, utilizando la técnica de elastografía por impulso de fuerza de radiación acústica (ARFI) cuantitativa y cualitativa, Doppler y ultrasonido contrastado. La elastografía ARFI es un método reciente que puede proveer información básica sobre la conformación normal del órgano y, en un futuro próximo, ayudar en el diagnóstico de las enfermedades esplénicas. De modo similar, la ecografía convencional, Doppler y el ultrasonido contrastado son importantes herramientas en el diagnóstico y en el triaje.Palabras clave: bazo canino, Doppler, elastografía, modo-B, ultrasonografía contrastada. ResumoO baço é um dos órgãos mais propensos a desenvolver tumores primários, metastáticos e afecções do sistema hematopoiético. Por isso, realizar uma avalição apurada neste órgão é de suma importância em medicina veterinária, particularmente em cães, devido à importância econômica, afetiva e de similaridade científi ca com o homem. Considerando os recentes avanços em diagnóstico por imagem, esta revisão visou descrever a aplicabilidade das novas técnicas ultrassonográfi cas para avaliação esplênica de caninos, utilizando a elastografi a por impulso de força de radiação acústica (ARFI) qualitativa e quantitativa, Doppler e ultrassonografi a por contraste com microbolhas. A elastogra...

Anatomical and Ultrasonographical Studies on the Spleen of Red Fox (Vulpes Vulpes) from Western Egyptian Desert

“…While it reaches 16±0.1cm in Bengal fox (Firdous and Maya 2013). Regarding the dog, the average splenic length is highly variable according to the different breeds (Maronezi et al 2017). Moreover, this study revealed that the thickness of the red fox's spleen is 0.4-0.5cm at the apex and 0.5-0.6cm at the base.…”

“…Moreover, this study revealed that the thickness of the red fox's spleen is 0.4-0.5cm at the apex and 0.5-0.6cm at the base. While in a dog, the maximum thickness of the normal spleen is 1.7cm (Maronezi et al 2017).…”

“…The size, shape, echogenicity, and echotexture of the spleen should be evaluated (Mattoon and Nyland 2014). The abnormalities, like splenomegaly along with parenchymatic alterations in echotexture and echogenicity, could be identified by ultrasonography (Maronezi et al 2017). Describing the vascular anatomy of the spleen is paramount for angiologists along with veterinary surgeons (Fouad et al 2018a).…”

Applications of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Splenic Studies of Dogs and Cats

“…Its portability and easy manipulation also make it easily available for both pet owners and veterinarians [ 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ]. When compared to other diagnostic imaging techniques, CEUS also holds several advantages: it is painless, non-toxic, and radiation-free [ 1 , 2 , 14 , 29 ], and it has been described as widely available, easy-to-use, and less expensive than other imaging methods [ 29 ]. It also provides a clear picture of organs that are more difficult to observe on a survey radiograph and B-mode ultrasound, and abdominal CEUS can eliminate the need for other tests such a CT or an MRI [ 18 , 19 , 24 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

“…CEUS has been shown to be a particularly valuable tool for splenic analysis, with the ability to determine and monitor alterations in the size, presence, and character of focal lesions, as well as detect specific alterations in its normal vascular pattern [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Indeed, in the last 20 years, the use of CEUS techniques for the examination of the spleen in humans has been increasingly pursued and several guidelines [ 16 ] and specific studies have arisen [ 16 , 17 ].…”