Diagnostic imaging descriptions and prevalence of presumed phrenic lymph nodes in dogs.

The phrenic lymph node (PLN) has been described in bovine, equine, and feline anatomic references but descriptions in canine anatomic references are currently lacking. Authors have observed a well-defined, soft tissue attenuating, contrast-enhancing structure in a location consistent with previous anatomic descriptions of the PLN in dogs that underwent thoracic CT for neoplastic staging. The aims of this two-part, retrospective/prospective, anatomic, prevalence study were (1) to describe the presence of a soft tissue structure close to the thoracic caudal vena cava, defined as the presumed PLN, in a series of dogs that underwent CT as part of the staging for metastatic disease; (2) to confirm the lymphatic origin of the presumed PLN in a dog through postmortem examination; (3) to assess the prevalence of the presumed PLN in a population of dogs that underwent thoracic CT or MRI for different clinical purposes; and (4) to assess the possibility to visualize the presumed PLN with ultrasonography.

Delayed non-selective contrast-enhanced CT can reveal spontaneous contrast enhancement of the lymphatic system in cats.

The authors incidentally observed that, on delayed postcontrast CT studies, feline patients could show increased attenuation of the lymphatic system. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if the lymphatic system of feline patients undergoing intravenous administration of contrast medium might consistently enhance on delayed postcontrast CT studies. Feline patients that underwent CT examination for variable diagnostic purposes were included in this multicentric observational descriptive study.

Multidetector-row CT features and histopathological analysis of pericardial recesses in dogs.

At the level of pericardial reflections and near the great thoracic vessels, pericardial recesses (PRs) are present, where fluid can collect to increase the pericardial reserve volume. To date, these structures have not been described in vivo in veterinary patients. The aims of this observational and descriptive study were to describe the location and appearance of PRs in dogs, as seen with multidetector-row CT (MDCT), and to develop a dedicated imaging technique for their best visualization.

CT features of primary bone neoplasia of the thoracic wall in dogs.

Primary thoracic wall neoplasia is uncommon in dogs and the prognosis depends on tumor type. The aims of this retrospective, multi-center, observational study were to describe CT features of primary thoracic wall neoplasia in dogs and to test the hypothesis that CT features would differ among tumor types. Dogs with a diagnosis of primary thoracic wall bone neoplasia and thoracic CT study were included.

CT Characteristics of the Thymus in Adult Dogs with Non-Thymic Neoplasia Compared to Young Dogs.

The thymus is a lymphatic mediastinal organ that is largely subject to changes with age. In human patients, the CT characteristics of the thymus in children and adults is well described. Furthermore, it is known in human medicine that stress can lead to a reduction in the size of the thymus, followed by a phase of hyperplasia (called the 'rebound effect').

Multi-phase MULTIDETECTOR-row computed tomographic features and laboratory findings in dogs with gallbladder rupture.

Gallbladder rupture is a life-treating condition in dogs. In human medicine, multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) is considered the best modality for the diagnosis of gallbladder rupture. The aims of the study were to describe MDCT features of gallbladder rupture in dogs and to determine the CT findings and laboratory data that differ between dogs with ruptured biliary tree and dogs with biliary disease with no rupture.

Sternal lymphadenopathy in dogs with malignancy in different localizations: A CT retrospective study of 60 cases.

Sternal lymph nodes (SLNs) drain a multitude of regions in dogs, including the pectoral and shoulder region, the thoracic wall and mammary glands, the mediastinum, thymus, diaphragm, and the ventral abdominal wall and peritoneal cavity. Neoplastic conditions of these regions can lead to sternal lymphadenopathy. The aim of this study was to assess the most frequent localizations of the primary neoplasia and the most frequent tumor types in dogs with sternal lymphadenopathy.

Right auricle aneurysm in dogs can be detected with multidetector-row CT and presents with varying morphology.

Right auricle aneurysm (RAA) has been reported to be a rare congenital or acquired condition in dogs, however published CT characteristics are limited to a small number of cases. The aim of this 13-year, single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study was to describe the prevalence and appearance of RAA in a larger group of dogs. Reports of 10,886 dogs that underwent thoracic CT examination for various reasons were reviewed.

Multidetector-Row CT Findings in Dogs with Different Primary Parathyroid Gland Diseases.

Primary hyperparathyroidism in dogs is a possibly life-threatening condition, characterized by the excess of parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion, which leads to an increase in serum ionized calcium level. The utility of computed tomography (CT) in the detection and characterization of parathyroid diseases in dogs has not been assessed to date. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the use of multidetector-row CT (MDCT) for the diagnosis of parathyroid disease in dogs.

Use of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography and Shear-Wave Elastography in the Diagnosis of Granulomatous Colitis in a French Bulldog.

An 11-month-old male intact French Bulldog was referred for chronic intermittent diarrhea lasting three months. Ultrasonographic (US) examination revealed severe thickening of the wall of the colon and caecum; contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) and elastography showed increased, heterogeneous vascularization and non-uniform stiffness of the colonic wall. The mucosa was thickened, fragile, and ulcerated as revealed by endoscopy, and histological examination confirmed the suspicion of granulomatous colitis.

Multiphase multidetector-row computed tomographic and ultrasonographic findings in dogs with spontaneous liver lobe torsion.

Liver lobe torsion (LLT) is an uncommon condition of unknown origin in dogs. Several reports describe the clinical features and outcome, but only few of them include the imaging characteristics of this disease. The aim of this descriptive case series was to describe the ultrasonographic (US) and multidetector-row computed tomographic (MDCT) features of LLT in a group of dogs.

Multiphase multidetector-row CT reveals different patterns of hepatic portal venous gas and pneumobilia.

Hepatic portal venous gas and pneumobilia (PB) are uncommon findings, indicating the accumulation of gas in the portal vein and its branches and in the biliary tree, respectively. Aims of this retrospective, descriptive study were to describe the computed tomographic (CT) features and visualization techniques of hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) and PB in a group of small animal veterinary patients. The CT data of patients with HPVG and PB were retrospectively reviewed.

Use of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography for the Characterization of Tumor Thrombi in Seven Dogs.

Tumors of adrenal and thyroid glands have been associated with vascular invasions-so-called tumor thrombi, both in humans and dogs. The detection and characterization of venous thrombi is an important diagnostic step in patients with primary tumors for both surgical planning and prognosis. The aim of this study was to describe the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for the characterization of tumor thrombi.

The ultrasonographic medullary "rim sign" versus medullary "band sign" in cats and their association with renal disease.

Background: Medullary rim sign (MRS) refers to a hyperechoic line in the renal medulla, reported on ultrasound examination (US) in both dogs and cats with and without kidney disease (KD).

Objective: To describe the different aspects of MRS in cats and to assess its association with KD.

Animals: Cats that underwent US examination, with MRS (study group) with and without KD and without MRS with and without KD (control groups).

Splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis in dogs is frequently detected on multiphase multidetector-row CT as hypervascular nodules.

Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is the formation and development of blood cells outside the bone marrow, and in dogs it frequently occurs in the spleen. Although splenic EMH is a relatively common condition, data regarding its appearance in veterinary medicine are lacking. Our aim was to describe different multidetector computed tomographic (MDCT) features of splenic EMH in dogs.

Relationship between the stage of osteoarthritis before and six months after tibial tuberosity advancement procedure in dogs.

The present retrospective study evaluated the progression of osteoarthritis in stifle joints based on the radiographic grade of osteoarthritis (OA) scored in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture. The aim of the study was to search for a correlation between the stage of radiographic osteoarthritis prior to surgery and the osteoarthritis progression occurring after the tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) procedure. It was hypothesized that the procedure carried out in dogs in the early stages of OA could reduce the OA changes.

Diagnostic accuracy of the vertebral heart score and other radiographic indices in the detection of cardiac enlargement in cats with different cardiac disorders.

A retrospective search was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the vertebral heart score (VHS) and other related radiographic indices in the detection of cardiac enlargement associated with different cardiac disorders in the cat. One hundred and five cats with a complete echocardiographic examination and radiographic examination of the thorax with at least two orthogonal views were enrolled. Eighty-three cats had different cardiac disorders, 72 with left-sided cardiac disorders (LSCD) and 11 with right-sided cardiac disorders; 22 cats were free of cardiovascular abnormalities.