ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF ALIMENTARY LYMPHOSARCOMA IN THE CAT

Clinical, radiological and ultrasonographic findings from 22 cats with gastrointestinal lymphosarcoma were reviewed. The most common clinical findings were anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, lethargy, depression, fever, anemia and a palpable abdominal mass. Abdominal radiographs of 12 cats revealed a mass associated with the gastrointestinal tract and/or mesentery, and decreased serosal detail, suggestive of peritoneal effusion. The most common ultrasonographic finding was transmural gastric or intestinal thickening associated with loss of normal wall layering, reduced wall echogenicity and localized hypomotility. As is noted in people, other patterns such as transmural-segmental, transmural-nodular, transmural-bulky and mucosal infiltration were represented. In 3 cats, mesenteric lymph-adenopathy was responsible for most of the mass-effect. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy, automated microcore biopsy, endoscopic biopsy or necropsy confirmed the diagnosis of lymphosarcoma in all cats. Chemotherapy was instituted in 19 cats. Only 6 cats had a complete response to treatment. The results of this study indicate that ultrasonography is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of feline alimentary lymphosarcoma and that biopsies can be obtained under ultrasonographic guidance.     

USE OF ULTRASOUND-GUIDED FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION BIOPSY AND AUTOMATED CORE BIOPSY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES IN SMALL ANIMALS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy and core biopsy in the diagnosis of infiltrative gastrointestinal diseases. Six dogs and seven cats with clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease underwent ultrasonography and intestinal lesions were identified. One or more ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy and/or core biopsy procedures were performed in each patient. Each patient also underwent one of the following additional procedures for comparison of results: 1) surgery (n=4), 2) endoscopy (n=2), 3) post mortem exam (n=3), and, 4) for lymphoma diagnosed with ultrasound-guided procedures, response to chemotherapy (n=4). Correct diagnoses were obtained in nine of the 13 patients, incorrect diagnoses in two of the 13 patients, and inconclusive diagnoses in two of the thirteen patients. Of the 16 total ultrasound-guided procedures performed, ten were confirmed as correct, three as incorrect, and three were non-diagnostic. Intestinal lesions with bowel wall thickness greater than 2.0 cm had a higher percentage of correct diagnoses than lesions of lesser wall thickness. Gastric lesions had a higher percentage of correct diagnoses than small and large intestinal lesions. Malignant lesions had a higher percentage of correct diagnoses than benign lesions. There were no complications. Ultrasound-guided gastrointestinal fine-needle aspiration biopsy and core biopsy appears to be a safe, accurate, and rapid procedure for use in the diagnosis of infiltrative gastrointestinal disease.     

Morphology of leukocytes from cats affected with alpha-mannosidosis and mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI)

The morphology and ultrastructure of circulating white blood cells from six Persian and from five Russian Blue/Siamese cats deficient in lysosomal activity of alpha-mannosidase and arylsulfatase B, respectively, were studied and compared to cells from corresponding normal and carrier cats. In cats with mannosidosis, light microscopic examination revealed vacuoles in lymphocytes and monocytes, whereas electron microscopic studies demonstrated additional vacuoles in neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. In cats with mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI), vacuoles containing metachromatic granules were observed in lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes. Ultrastructural studies of these cells identified the accumulation of fibrillar material, which often was associated with lamellated membrane structures.     

Effects of gastric distention-volvulus on coronary blood flow and myocardial oxygen consumption in the dog

Gastric distention-volvulus (GDV; at 50 mm of Hg gastric inflation pressure) was experimentally induced in 8 dogs anesthetized using pentobarbital. Hemodynamic indices including heart rate, mean arterial pressure, cardiac output, and coronary blood flow (4 dogs) were measured during a 20-minute period of GDV and for 10 minutes after decompression. Arterial and coronary venous oxygen tensions were also measured for calculation of myocardial oxygen extraction (7 dogs) and myocardial oxygen consumption (4 dogs). Dogs were monitored for 72 hours postoperatively for the occurrence of arrhythmias, then were euthanatized for gross and histologic examination of the heart. Experimental GDV resulted in significant (P less than 0.05) decreases in cardiac output (89%), mean arterial pressure (45%), and coronary blood flow (50%) compared with control values. Myocardial oxygen extraction increased (30%) and overall myocardial oxygen consumption decreased (50%), compared with control values. Evidence of subendocardial necrosis was seen in 6 dogs, 4 of which had developed ventricular arrhythmias 8 to 24 hours postoperatively.