COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN 24 DOGS WITH LIPOSARCOMA

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Radiology
• Canine Oncology
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly utilized for canine tumor assessment.
• No prior studies have detailed the CT characteristics of canine liposarcomas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the computed tomography (CT) appearance of canine liposarcomas.
• To identify key CT features for diagnosing canine liposarcomas.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, multicenter study analyzing CT images from 24 dogs with 26 histologically confirmed liposarcomas.
• Evaluation of tumor size, location, attenuation, contrast enhancement, border definition, homogeneity, infiltration, and mineralization.

Main Results:

• Mean attenuation was +15.2 HU; 77% of tumors had focal fat attenuation.
• All masses enhanced with contrast; 81% showed heterogeneous internal attenuation.
• Lack of a defined capsule (38%) suggested local infiltration; 23% had mineralization.

Conclusions:

• Canine liposarcoma should be considered for mixed-attenuation, contrast-enhancing masses with fat attenuation.
• Fat attenuation is a common but not essential finding for canine liposarcoma diagnosis on CT.