Computed tomography of the prostate gland in apparently healthy entire dogs

To describe the computed tomography (CT) features of the prostate gland and determine prostate size using CT in entire male dogs.

The prostate gland was evaluated in 35 dogs. Morphological features including homogeneity, delineation, shape and intraprostatic differentiation were assessed. Height, length, width, area, volume and attenuation values of the prostate gland were measured. Ratios of prostatic height (rH), length and width to the sixth lumbar vertebral body length were calculated. Relationships of prostatic dimensions with body weight and age were evaluated.

The prostate gland was homogeneous in 29 dogs on non-contrast images and 18 of 24 dogs on postcontrast images. Transverse images revealed a semi-oval prostate gland in 29 dogs and irregularly shaped prostate gland in 6 dogs. A prominent median septum was observed in postcontrast images. Significant positive correlations were found between body weight and age and all prostatic dimensions except between age and rH. The mean ± sd values for attenuation were 59·3 ± 9·1 and 121·3 ± 22·7 HU in non-contrast and postcontrast image, respectively.

CT can be useful for evaluating morphological features of the prostate gland. Prostatic length or width is a better measure than height for computed tomographic estimation of prostate size.