Editorial Type:
Diagnostic Imaging

Use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography to characterize adrenal gland tumors in dogs

Pascaline Pey Departments of Medical Imaging of Domestic Animals and Orthopedy of Small Animals, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.

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 DVM, PhD
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Federica Rossi Clinica Veterinaria dell'Orologio, via Gramsci, 1/4, 40037 Sasso Marconi (BO), Italy.

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Massimo Vignoli Clinica Veterinaria dell'Orologio, via Gramsci, 1/4, 40037 Sasso Marconi (BO), Italy.

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Luc Duchateau Departments of Physiology and Biometry, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.

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Laurent Marescaux Clinique vétérinaire oncovet, Avenue Paul Langevin, 59650 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France.

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Jimmy H. Saunders Departments of Medical Imaging of Domestic Animals and Orthopedy of Small Animals, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.75.10.886
Volume/Issue:
Volume 75: Issue 10
Online Publication Date:
01 Oct 2014
Restricted access
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Abstract

Objective—To describe the contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic characteristics and vascular patterns of adrenal gland tumors in dogs and determine whether those features are indicative of malignancy or histologic type of tumor.

Animals—14 dogs with 16 adrenal gland lesions (10 carcinomas [8 dogs], 3 adenomas [3 dogs], and 3 pheochromocytomas [3 dogs]).

Procedures—Unsedated dogs with adrenal gland lesions underwent B-mode ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography ≤ 48 hours before adrenalectomy; contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic examinations were video-recorded. Macroscopic evaluation of the adrenal gland lesions and histologic examination of removed adrenal gland tissues were subsequently performed. Surgical and histopathologic findings and the ultrasonographic and contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic characteristics were recorded for the various tumor types. Time-intensity curves were generated from the contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic recordings and used to calculate regional blood volume (value proportional to area under the curve) and mean transit time (time the lesion began to enhance to the half-peak intensity).

Results—In adrenal gland carcinomas, tortuous feeding vessels were noticeable during the arterial and venous phases of contrast enhancement. Heterogeneity of contrast enhancement was evident only in malignant tumors. Compared with adenomas, adrenal gland carcinomas and pheochromocytomas had significantly less regional blood volume. Mean transit times were significantly shorter in adrenal gland carcinomas and pheochromocytomas than in adenomas.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—For dogs, evaluation of the vascular pattern and contrast-enhancement characteristics of adrenal gland tumors by means of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography may be useful in assessment of malignancy and tumor type.

Abstract

Objective—To describe the contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic characteristics and vascular patterns of adrenal gland tumors in dogs and determine whether those features are indicative of malignancy or histologic type of tumor.

Animals—14 dogs with 16 adrenal gland lesions (10 carcinomas [8 dogs], 3 adenomas [3 dogs], and 3 pheochromocytomas [3 dogs]).

Procedures—Unsedated dogs with adrenal gland lesions underwent B-mode ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography ≤ 48 hours before adrenalectomy; contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic examinations were video-recorded. Macroscopic evaluation of the adrenal gland lesions and histologic examination of removed adrenal gland tissues were subsequently performed. Surgical and histopathologic findings and the ultrasonographic and contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic characteristics were recorded for the various tumor types. Time-intensity curves were generated from the contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic recordings and used to calculate regional blood volume (value proportional to area under the curve) and mean transit time (time the lesion began to enhance to the half-peak intensity).

Results—In adrenal gland carcinomas, tortuous feeding vessels were noticeable during the arterial and venous phases of contrast enhancement. Heterogeneity of contrast enhancement was evident only in malignant tumors. Compared with adenomas, adrenal gland carcinomas and pheochromocytomas had significantly less regional blood volume. Mean transit times were significantly shorter in adrenal gland carcinomas and pheochromocytomas than in adenomas.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—For dogs, evaluation of the vascular pattern and contrast-enhancement characteristics of adrenal gland tumors by means of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography may be useful in assessment of malignancy and tumor type.

Contributor Notes

Dr. Pey's present address is Department of Medical Imaging, Alfort Veterinary School, 94700 Maisons-alfort, France. Dr. Vignoli's present address is Clinica Veterinaria Modena Sud, Piazza dei Tintori 1, 41057 Spilamberto (MO), Italy.

This manuscript represents a portion of a thesis submitted by Dr. Pey to the University of Ghent Graduate School as partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Doctor in Veterinary Science degree.

No funding or conflict of interest to declare.

Presented in abstract form at the International Veterinary Radiology Association-European Association of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (IVRA-EAVDI) meeting, Bursa, Turkey, August 2012.

Address correspondence to Dr. Pey (pascaline_pey@hotmail.fr).
Cover American Journal of Veterinary Research
American Journal of Veterinary Research
Publication Date:
01 Oct 2014

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