The appearance of canine insulinoma on dual phase computed tomographic angiography

To further evaluate the appearance of insulinoma in dogs on dual-phase CT angiography, given the disparity of findings in recent publications. To establish whether CT angiographic localisation of insulinoma correlates with surgical findings.

Single centre study of dogs with a final diagnosis of insulinoma which underwent abdominal CT angiography. Scans were retrospectively re-evaluated for specific features by two board-certified veterinary radiologists. These findings were also subsequently compared to surgical and histopathological reports to determine the accuracy of lesion localisation on CT.

Thirty-five cases were included in final analysis, with pancreatic nodules identified in 33. Twenty-one were confirmed as insulinoma with histopathology. Jack Russell Terriers were over-represented. Twenty of 21 cases with confirmed insulinoma and 27 of 33 overall showed hyperattenuation in the arterial phase. The mean size of pancreatic insulinoma on CT was 15.1 mm, and 18.2% were larger than 20 mm. Eighteen of 21 confirmed and eight of 12 suspected insulinomas caused a deformation of the pancreatic shape, with two only identified as a result of this feature as these lesions were isoattenuating throughout the study. Pancreatic insulinoma location at surgery matched that described on the CT images in 17 of 19 cases where location was described in the surgical report.

In contrast to recent publications, this study suggests hyperattenuation of insulinomas in the arterial phase is a predominant feature, and that hypoattenuation or isoattenuation are much less common. CT angiography is accurate in prediction of lesion location before surgery in most cases.