Lymphadenomegaly in dogs--cytological study

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Oncology
• Cytopathology

Background:

• Lymphadenomegaly, or enlarged lymph nodes, is a common condition in dogs, stemming from various non-neoplastic and neoplastic causes.
• Cytological examination of enlarged lymph nodes is a crucial initial diagnostic step, complementing physical exams and blood analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the causes and characteristics of lymphadenomegaly in dogs.
• To evaluate the diagnostic utility of fine-needle cytology for canine lymphadenomegaly.

Main Methods:

• Fine-needle biopsy was performed on dogs presenting with generalized or localized lymphadenomegaly.
• Physical examination data, including signalment, clinical signs, and lymphadenomegaly characteristics, were recorded.
• Cytological samples were analyzed to identify the underlying cause of lymphadenomegaly.

Main Results:

• The most frequent cytological diagnoses were lymphoma and reactive hyperplasia, followed by metastatic neoplasms and lymphadenitis.
• A higher incidence of canine lymphoma was observed in male dogs.
• Good quality cytological samples yielded a final diagnosis in over 90% of cases.

Conclusions:

• Fine-needle cytology is a highly effective diagnostic method for canine lymphadenomegaly, providing accurate diagnoses in most cases.
• The study highlights the importance of cytology in differentiating between various causes of enlarged lymph nodes in dogs.
• Canine lymphoma appears to be more prevalent in male dogs, warranting further investigation.