Computed tomographic features of exocrine pancreatic carcinomas in dogs and cats.

Exocrine pancreatic carcinomas are uncommon in dogs and cats, and diagnosis with diagnostic imaging can be challenging. This retrospective, multi-institutional, descriptive study was performed to evaluate the CT features of exocrine pancreatic carcinomas. The CT examinations of 18 dogs and 12 cats with exocrine pancreatic carcinomas diagnosed by cytology or histopathology were reviewed. The CT features of exocrine pancreatic carcinomas included a well-defined mass in 28/30 (93%) with contrast enhancement in 27/30 (90%), commonly heterogeneous 22/30 (73%); often with a nonenhancing fluid to soft tissue attenuating center 12/30 (40%). The right lobe of the pancreas was the most common location, 14/30 (47%), then the left lobe, 10/30 (33%), and the body, 6/30 (20%). Extrahepatic biliary duct dilation was present in six animals; 5/6 (83%) of the masses were located in the right pancreatic lobe. Additional findings included peripancreatic fat-stranding 17/30 (57%), lymphadenopathy 16/30 (57%), peripancreatic soft tissue nodules 12/30 (40%), and free fluid 10/30 (33%). When comparing the imaging features of dogs and cats, there was a large overlap in imaging characteristics. There was a significant difference between the height of the masses, with dogs having larger masses (P-value.0028). Lymphadenopathy was more likely in larger masses [increased height (P-value.029)]. Cats were significantly older than dogs (P-value.0355). Pancreatic carcinomas were commonly identified as masses with heterogeneous contrast enhancement and a nonenhancing fluid to soft tissue attenuating center with concurrent peripancreatic changes (fat-stranding and/or soft tissue nodules) and lymphadenopathy.

The most common types of uroliths larger than 1 mm are readily visible and accurately measured in an in vitro setting mimicking the canine abdomen using digital radiography.

Abdominal radiography is an important diagnostic to detect uroliths. Cystine and urate uroliths were historically characterized as nonmineral opaque on survey radiographs. However, recent research and clinical observations indicate that pure urate and cystine uroliths may be detected with digital radiography. The primary purpose of this prospective, in vitro, diagnostic accuracy study was to determine the sensitivity of digital radiography in detecting cystoliths of varying size and composition. Forty canine uroliths of pure composition (10 each of calcium oxalate, struvite, cystine, and urate), acquired from Minnesota Urolith Center and ranging from 1 to 10 mm, were placed in phantoms of three various sizes and radiographed. The radiographs, including three sets of each urolith separately, were evaluated by three blinded radiologists on two separate occasions. Evaluation included presence or absence of urolith, number of uroliths, and maximum diameter of the urolith(s). For all four types of uroliths and all readers, the specificity and PPV were 100% with an associated very high sensitivity (94.4%-98.9%) and NPV (94.8%-98.9%). Calcium oxalate uroliths were the most accurately measured and struvite were the least accurately measured when compared with the gross measurement. Smaller uroliths were more accurately measured than larger uroliths. Uroliths placed in smaller bladder phantoms were more accurately measured than in larger bladder phantoms. Though accurate measurement of uroliths is complicated by and dependent on numerous variables, our results reveal that urate and cystine uroliths are visualized on digital radiography making them a relevant differential diagnosis when seen clinically.

Body mapping chart for estimation of percentage of body surface area in mesocephalic dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To create a chart for estimating body surface area (BSA) for use in canine burn victims, similar to the human Rule of Nines. DESIGN: Prospective study, from 2016 to 2017. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Nine adult, medium-sized, mesocephalic dogs (5 females, 4 males). INTERVENTIONS: Sedated dogs and fresh cadavers underwent full-body computed tomography (CT) scans. A 3-dimensional technique was used to calculate the surface area of specific body parts, as well as the surface area of the whole body. With the obtained measurements, a BSA chart was created. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Estimates for percent of total BSA obtained with CT images were as follows: head and abdomen 14%, respectively, neck and each of the thoracic limbs 9%, thorax 18%, pelvic limbs 11% each, and pelvis including the tail 5%. The most considerable differences between dogs and people in respect to the Rule of Nines chart were noticed in the head, the pelvic limbs, as well as in the groin region in people as compared with the pelvic/tail area in dogs. The surface areas of the front legs and thorax were the only body parts that corresponded with that of human body surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: A chart for estimating canine body surface was created. Given the diversity of dog breeds, sizes, and body conformation, our results cannot be generalized to all dogs. Studies of more diverse populations are warranted.

Gliomatosis Cerebri in the Brain of a Cat.

An eight-year-old, neutered, female, long-haired cat was presented with a three-week history of progressive lethargy, unlocalized pain in the cervical and lumbar spine, and unwillingness to move. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain revealed poorly circumscribed regions of non-contrast-enhancing heterogeneous T2 hyperintensity within the ventral forebrain and midbrain. A mass effect and evidence of increased intracranial pressure, including transtentorial herniation of the midbrain and herniation of the cerebellar vermis through the foramen magnum, were also observed. Due to progressive clinical decline and MRI results, the cat was humanely euthanized. Gross examination of the brain confirmed caudal transtentorial and foramen magnum herniation. The ventral aspect of the forebrain, midbrain, and brainstem were soft and had loss of detail, but lacked a grossly discernible mass. Histopathological examination found a poorly delineated neoplastic mass composed of hyperchromatic cells with indistinct cytoplasm, ovoid to elongate or curved nuclei, and indistinct nucleoli. The cells lacked immunoreactivity for Olig2, GFAP, Iba1, CD3, and Pax5. Based on the cellular morphology, immunolabeling characteristics, and anatomical location, a diagnosis of gliomatosis cerebri was made. Although uncommon, gliomatosis cerebri should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cats with central nervous system disease.