Prognostic value of sternal lymphadenopathy on malignancy and survival in dogs undergoing splenectomy

The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to determine prevalence of sternal lymphadenopathy in a population of dogs undergoing splenectomy, and to evaluate if the prevalence was associated with splenic malignancy. In addition, the study investigated if survival in dogs diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma (HSA) differed between those with or without sternal lymphadenopathy at the time of surgery. Digital radiographs and medical records for dogs who underwent splenectomy from 2013 to 2016 where retrospectively reviewed. One hundred ninety-five dogs underwent splenectomy during the study period. The overall prevalence of sternal lymphadenopathy was 12.8%. The prevalence of sternal lymphadenopathy in dogs with hemangiosarcoma was 16.2% (12/74), other malignancy was 15.8% (3/19), and with a benign process 9.8% (10/102). There was no significant association between sternal lymphadenopathy with hemoperitoneum (p = .20) or between sternal lymphadenopathy and presence of neoplasia (p = .37). There was no significant difference in survival probability in all dogs with or without sternal lymphadenopathy (p = .073). However, sternal lymphadenopathy was associated with lower survival in 74 dogs with HSA (p = .036) and 19 with other splenic malignancies (p = .039). The presence of sternal lymphadenopathy should not be considered a negative prognostic indicator if present in dogs presenting with a hemoperitoneum. Although the presence of sternal lymphadenopathy at the time of initial presentation was not significantly associated with survival time in all dogs with splenic disease, it may have predictive value related to survival of dogs with splenic malignancy.