Contrast-Enhanced Transrectal Ultrasonography of a Novel Canine Prostate Cancer Model

Abstract

Objective. This study evaluated the utility of a new animal model for prostate cancer imaging using a new ultrasonographic contrast agent (Sonazoid [NC100100]; Amersham Health, Oslo, Norway), for prostate cancer detection. Methods. Twenty-four dogs had a canine transmissible venereal sarcoma cell line injected (50 million cells/mL) directly into the prostate, producing a neoplasm in 15 to 40 days. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed in power Doppler mode on 8 dogs (phase I) and in gray scale phase inversion harmonic imaging mode on 16 animals (including control animals without tumors; phase II). Evaluations were repeated after intravenous injections of the contrast agent (dose, 0.00625-0.20 µL/kg). Histopathologic examination was performed after each study. For the phase II experiments, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated. Results. The contrast agent improved visualization of the prostate cancer vascularity and delineation of tumor size and shape in both power Doppler and phase inversion harmonic imaging modes. Canine transmissible venereal sarcoma tumors ranging from 3 × 5 to 40 × 50 mm were detected. The accuracy for detecting the number of prostate tumors increased (in phase II) from 67% to 87% with the addition of the contrast agent. Histopathologic examination confirmed the ultrasonographic findings and revealed typical canine transmissible venereal sarcoma cells infiltrating the prostate with moderate neovascularity. Conclusions. The novel canine tumor model was useful for evaluating ultrasonographic prostate imaging techniques. Improved detection of prostate tumors in dogs was possible with gray scale phase inversion harmonic imaging of the contrast agent. The accuracy of lesion detection increased from 67% to 87%. Key words: animal model; phase inversion harmonic imaging; prostate cancer; ultrasonographic contrast agent.

Canine transmissible venereal tumour: a review

“…The differential uptake of such radionuclides by CTVT tissue may be of diagnostic importance. Also, the use of a contrast agent (NC100100) during transrectal ultrasonography has been shown to increase the accuracy of lesion detection from 67 to 87% …”

“…Also, the use of a contrast agent (NC100100) during transrectal ultrasonography has been shown to increase the accuracy of lesion detection from 67 to 87%. 46 TVT cells may be collected by fine-needle aspiration of the tumour mass; cells may also be detected in free-catch samples of urine. Cytologically, TVT cells have a very distinct appearance 47 (Fig.…”

Two-dimensional and Doppler sonographic prostatic appearance of sexually intact French Bulldogs

“…Studies based on small or nonhomogeneous groups of dogs of different breeds and sizes have been conducted to identify the location of the canine prostatic artery and characterize the Doppler pattern in different locations [7][8][9][10][11]. One of these studies reported that there are differences between prostatic artery Doppler characteristics according to location, but no relationship was found between these characteristics and the age of the animal [8].…”

Contrast‐enhanced Ultrasound of the Normal Canine Prostate Gland

“…Hence, color and power Doppler imaging provide a new potential for improved diagnosis of prostate cancer through the detection of tumor neovascularity. 1 Nonetheless, although there are structural differences in the architecture of benign and malignant prostate gland tissue, Doppler techniques did not adequately distinguish these features. This may be due to the limited resolution of Doppler imaging.…”