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Lymphadenomegaly in dogs--cytological study
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-766 Warsaw, Poland. rafal-sapierzynski@sggw.waw.pl
Insights
Fine-needle cytology is a valuable diagnostic tool for canine lymphadenomegaly, identifying causes like lymphoma and hyperplasia. This method achieves over 90% diagnostic accuracy for enlarged lymph nodes in dogs.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Oncology
- Cytopathology
Background:
- Lymphadenomegaly, or enlarged lymph nodes, is a common condition in dogs, stemming from various non-neoplastic and neoplastic causes.
- Cytological examination of enlarged lymph nodes is a crucial initial diagnostic step, complementing physical exams and blood analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the causes and characteristics of lymphadenomegaly in dogs.
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of fine-needle cytology for canine lymphadenomegaly.
Main Methods:
- Fine-needle biopsy was performed on dogs presenting with generalized or localized lymphadenomegaly.
- Physical examination data, including signalment, clinical signs, and lymphadenomegaly characteristics, were recorded.
- Cytological samples were analyzed to identify the underlying cause of lymphadenomegaly.
Main Results:
- The most frequent cytological diagnoses were lymphoma and reactive hyperplasia, followed by metastatic neoplasms and lymphadenitis.
- A higher incidence of canine lymphoma was observed in male dogs.
- Good quality cytological samples yielded a final diagnosis in over 90% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Fine-needle cytology is a highly effective diagnostic method for canine lymphadenomegaly, providing accurate diagnoses in most cases.
- The study highlights the importance of cytology in differentiating between various causes of enlarged lymph nodes in dogs.
- Canine lymphoma appears to be more prevalent in male dogs, warranting further investigation.
Abstract:
Lymphadenomegaly is the enlargement of the lymph node/nodes, due to various nonneoplastic or neoplastic processes, observed mainly in dogs, rarely in other animal species. The first step of a diagnostic procedure in cases of lymph nodes enlargement, apart from physical examination and morphological blood analysis, should be a cytological examination of an enlarged lymph node/nodes. The aim of the present study was to determine the character and the cause of the lymph node/nodes enlargement in dogs and to evaluate the usefulness of fine-needle cytology in a diagnosis of lymphadenomegaly. The study was performed on dogs submitted to consultation in the Small Animal Clinic of Department of Clinical Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, due to generalized or local lymphadenomegaly, and in which fine-needle biopsy was made. A signalement, general state of dog, the presence and duration of clinical signs, the character (generalized vs. localized) and intensity (mild, moderate or severe) of lympadenomegaly were recorded during physical examination. The average age of dogs examined was 8 years, 64 were males and 36 were females of various breeds; however the majority of them were greater than 25 kg in weight. The cytological diagnosis including most often lymphoma and reactive hyperplasia, more seldom metastatic neoplasm and lymphadenitis were recognized, some of the samples were considered nondiagnostic/nondefined. On the basis of the present results it can be concluded that cytological examination of good quality samples allows to obtain final diagnosis in over 90% of lymphadenomegaly. Higher incidence of canine lymphomas in males is suggested.
