Triple-phase helical computed tomography in dogs with solid splenic masses.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Radiology
• Canine Pathology

Background:

• Splenic masses in dogs can be benign or malignant, necessitating accurate preoperative diagnosis.
• Differentiating splenic masses is crucial for appropriate treatment planning and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic utility of triple-phase helical computed tomography (CT) in distinguishing between benign and malignant splenic masses in dogs.
• To correlate CT findings with histopathological diagnoses of canine splenic lesions.

Main Methods:

• Forty-two dogs with splenic masses underwent triple-phase helical CT (pre-contrast, arterial, portal venous, delayed phases).
• CT findings were compared with post-splenectomy histopathological diagnoses: hematomas (n=14), nodular hyperplasia (n=12), hemangiosarcomas (n=11), and undifferentiated sarcomas (n=5).

Main Results:

• Nodular hyperplasia showed homogeneous enhancement in all phases.
• Hemangiosarcoma exhibited homogeneous poor enhancement or heterogeneous remarkable enhancement in arterial/portal venous phases.
• Hematoma and undifferentiated sarcoma displayed heterogeneous enhancement; hematoma had a greater contrast-enhanced volumetric ratio.

Conclusions:

• Triple-phase helical CT provides characteristic findings useful for preoperative differentiation of canine splenic masses.
• This imaging modality can aid in distinguishing between hematoma, nodular hyperplasia, hemangiosarcoma, and undifferentiated sarcoma in dogs.