Relation between age, body weight, and medial retropharyngeal lymph node size in apparently healthy dogs

The aims of this study were to determine the size of the medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes in apparently healthy dogs using ultrasonography and to investigate relationships between body weight (1.8-59 kg), age (1.0-15 years), and medial retropharyngeal lymph node sizes (width, height, and length). The sample population consisted of 100 apparently healthy, volunteered, adult dogs. The data were normally distributed, thus mean, SD, and Pearson's correlation were used. Repeatability of ultrasound measures was assessed as the percentage of differences between duplicate measures that were within 2 SDs of the differences: all measures were at least 93% repeatable (differences typically were < or = 0.25 cm and always < 1 cm). No difference between sexes was observed. The medial retropharyngeal lymph node increased in size with increased body weight (r = 0.46 to 0.59) and decreased in size with increased age (r = -0.30 to -0.50). Although statistically significant, the actual variation is not likely clinically important due to the small range of sizes, measurement error, and various combinations of age and body weight. Therefore, regardless of body weight or age, the average width is 1.0 cm, height is 0.5 cm, and length is 2.5 cm and maximum width is 2 cm, height is 1 cm, and length is 5 cm. Based on the maximal difference between duplicate measures (with some exception), any change > or = 0.4 cm with width or height, or > or = 1.0 cm in length, in a follow up measurement probably represents a true biological change rather than measurement error.