Comparison Between Survey Radiography, B‐mode Ultrasonography, Contrast‐enhanced Ultrasonography and Contrast‐enhanced Multi‐detector Computed Tomography Findings in Dogs With Acute Abdominal Signs

Abstract

Contrast-enhanced multi-detector computed tomography (CE-MDCT) is used routinely in evaluating human patients with acute abdominal symptoms. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) continues to be in its infancy as it relates to evaluation of the acute abdomen. The purpose of this study was to compare survey radiography, B-mode ultrasound, CEUS, and CE-MDCT findings in canine patients presenting with acute abdominal signs; with a focus on the ability to differentiate surgical from non-surgical conditions. Nineteen dogs were prospectively enrolled. Inclusion required a clinical diagnosis of acute abdominal signs and confirmed surgical or non-surgical causes for the clinical signs. Agreement for the majority of recorded imaging features was at least moderate. There was poor agreement in the identification of pneumoperitoneum and in the comparison of pancreatic lesion dimensions for B-mode vs. CEUS. The CT feature of fat stranding was detected in cases including, but not limited to, gastric neoplasia with perforation, pancreatitis, and small intestinal foreign body. Ultrasound underestimated the size and number of specific lesions when compared with CE-MDCT. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound was successful in detecting bowel and pancreatic perfusion deficits that CE-MDCT failed to identify. Accuracy for differentiation of surgical vs. non-surgical conditions was high for all modalities; 100%, 94%, and 94% for CE-MDCT, ultrasonography and survey radiography respectively. Findings indicated that CE-MDCT is an accurate screening test for differentiating surgical from non-surgical acute abdominal conditions in dogs. Focused CEUS following CE-MDCT or B-mode ultrasonography may be beneficial for identifying potentially significant hypoperfused lesions.

Accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound compared with conventional ultrasound in acute pancreatitis: Diagnosis and complication monitoring

“…Pancreatic swelling is an important feature of AP (19). In comparison with the results obtained using CECT, the diagnostic rates with CUS and CEUS were 121% (148/122) and 91% (111/122), respectively.…”

Importance of fasting in preparing dogs for abdominal ultrasound examination of specific organs

“…The usefulness of diagnostic imaging in dogs with acute abdominal signs is well known, yet these cases are not fasted for either US or computed tomography (CT) examinations (Boysen & Lisciandro , Shanaman et al . ). The question of whether or not fasting effectively reduces intraluminal gas and improves US image quality in dogs remains unanswered.…”

Multicenter retrospective evaluation of ileocecocolic perforations associated with diagnostic lower gastrointestinal endoscopy in dogs and cats

“…Although seemingly rare, ICC perforation should be discussed with owners as a potential complication of ileoscopy when weighing the risks and benefits of the procedure. Endoscopic‐induced perforation should be considered as a differential diagnosis for animals with abdominal distention or clinical deterioration after endoscopy; abdominal radiography remains the imaging modality of choice for diagnosis …”