ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF PERSISTENT HYPERPLASTIC TUNICA VASCULOSA LENTIS/PERSISTENT HYPERPLASTIC PRIMARY VITREOUS IN TWO DOGS

Ultrasonography was performed on a Basset hound and a Doberman clinically suspected of persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis/persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous. In both dogs, hyperechoic lenses with a triangular-shaped echodense structure retrolentally were visible, and a very thin hyperechoic strand was seen penetrating the anechoic vitreous from this retrolental tissue to the area of the optic nerve. Using color Doppler imaging, blood flow was evident in parts of the retina in both dogs. With power Doppler imaging there was blood flow in the lens and hyperechoic strand of the Basset hound on the first examination; whereas, on re-examination 5 months later, this was not found. Other abnormalities, such as retinal detachment, endophthalmitis, vitreous hemorrhage, microphthalmia, and posterior neoplasia could be excluded.