Ultrasound- guided catheter biopsy of the lower urinary tract: technique and results in 12 dogs

Ultrasound-guided catheter biopsy of lesions affecting the lower urinary tract was attempted in 12 dogs with mucosal lesions affecting the bladder [nine] or urethra (three). Histological biopsies were obtained by catheter biopsy in 10 dogs, enabling diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma in five, papilloma in two, prostatic carcinoma in two and chronic cystitis in one. Cytological samples alone were obtained in two dogs, one of which enabled a diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma; the other contained evidence of haemorrhage and inflammation, but squamous cell carcinoma was found in a subsequent exci-sional biopsy. Intravesicular haemorrhage after biopsy was observed ultrasonographically in two dogs. Ultrasound guidance enables accurate determination of biopsy catheter position. The size of biopsies obtained by this method may limit the accuracy of histological diagnosis.     

Abdominal ultrasonography in small animals: Examination of the liver, spleen and pancreas

Ultrasonography is an important diagnostic technique in veterinary medicine. It may be used to examine most structures in the small animal ahdomen, providing a rapid, non-invasive means of supplementing information obtained by physical examination and radiography. Limitations of ultrasonography include the non-specific nature of many observed abnormalities, which prevents a specific diagnosis, and the difficulty of identifying certain normal organs such as the pancreas. This paper reviews ultrasonography of the liver, spleen and pancreas, and ultrasound-guided biopsy in small animals, and indicates areas of potential future development.     

ACCURACY OF SURVEY RADIOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISC PROTRUSION IN DOGS

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of survey radiography for canine thoracolumbar intervertebral disc protrusion, survey radiographs (lateral and ventrodorsal) of 64 dogs with surgically-confirmed thoracolumbar intervertebral disc protrusion, 51 dogs with negative myelograms and 29 dogs with various spinal conditions other than disc protrusion were reviewed by three independent observers who were unaware of any clinical information. There were marked differences in observer performance for diagnosis of intervertebral disc protrusion, although there were no significant differences in intraobserver diagnostic accuracy for small vs. large dogs. Accuracy of observers for determining sites of intervertebral disc protrusion using survey radiography was in the range 51-61%. All observers had low accuracy for identification of second sites of intervertebral disc protrusion. The most useful radiographic sign, narrowed intervertebral space, had only moderate sensitivity (range 64-69%) and moderate predictive value (range 63-71%) for intervertebral disc protrusion. Vacuum phenomenon was an infrequent but accurate sign of intervertebral disc protrusion. Recognition of multiple radiographic signs of intervertebral disc protrusion at one site was associated with increased accuracy of diagnosis. No observer was accurate enough to justify attempting targeted surgical treatment of intervertebral disc protrusion without myelography.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF PARAPROSTATIC CYSTS IN NINE DOGS

The ultrasonographic features of paraprostatic cysts in nine dogs are described along with historical, clinical, surgical and pathologic findings. Cysts occurred predominantly in older, large breed dogs (mean age 8 years, range 3–11 years). The most common presenting complaints were depression, inappetance, stranguria, tenesmus and bloody penile discharge. A palpable abdominal mass was the most common physical finding. Ultrasonographically, paraprostatic cysts were usually large anechoic structures; many contained internal septa. Moderately large anechoic cavities or cysts were also detected in the prostatic parenchyma of five dogs, and in two of these communication with the paraprostatic cyst was visualized. There were no clearly distinct ultrasonographic criteria to discriminate septic from nonseptic paraprostatic cysts.     

COMPARATIVE ORGAN IMAGING: THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT

Diagnostic radiology of the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, mesentery, and pancreas is reviewed. Survey and contrast radiography remain the principal imaging methods used to evaluate gastrointestinal diseases in animals. Of the other imaging techniques, scintigraphy has potential in assessment of esophageal and gastric motility disorders, and detection of intestinal hemorrhage. Ultrasonography is useful for imaging the pancreas and gastrointestinal mass lesions.     

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of congenital portosystemic shunt in 14 cats

Twenty-four cats with clinical and, or, clinico-pathological signs compatible with portosystemic shunting were examined prospectively using two-dimensional grey-scale, duplex and colourflow Doppler ultrasonography. Diagnosis of congenital portosystemic shunt was subsequently confirmed in 14 cats using operative mesenteric portography and surgery. Of the 14 affected cats, nine were purebred; eight were male and six female. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was nine months (range four to 27 months). Ultrasonographic evidence of a small liver was present in seven cats (50 per cent); visibility of intrahepatic portal vessels was reduced in three (21 per cent). An anomalous blood vessel was identified ultrasonographically in each cat; in 10 cats (71 per cent) the vessel was observed to originate from the portal vein and drain into the caudal vena cava. Abnormally variable portal blood flow waspresent in eight of the 10 cats in which it was measured. At surgery, six shunts were intrahepatic and eight extrahepatic; the ultrasonographic diagnosis of intra- versus extra-hepatic shunt was correct in 13 cats (93 per cent). No anomalous blood vessels or abnormalities affecting the portal vein were detected ultrasonographically in any of the 10 cats that did not have congenital portosystemic shunting. Hence, the accuracy of ultrasonography for diagnosis of congenital portosystemic shunting in this series was 100 per cent.