CT imaging features of fat stranding in cats and dogs with abdominal disorder

Abstract

Background Fat stranding is a non-specific finding of an increased fat attenuation on computed tomography (CT) images. Fat stranding is used for detecting the underlying lesion in humans. Objectives To assess the clinical significance of fat stranding on CT images for identifying the underlying cause in dogs and cats. Methods In this retrospective study, the incidence, location, extent, distribution, and pattern of fat stranding were assessed on CT studies obtained from 134 cases. Results Fat stranding was found in 38% (51/134) of all cases and in 35% (37/107) of tumors, which was significantly higher in malignant tumors (44%) than benign tumors (12%). Moreover, fat stranding was found in more than two areas in malignant tumors (16/33) and in a single area in benign tumors (4/4). In inflammation, fat stranding was demonstrated in 54% (7/13) in a single area (7/7) as a focal distribution (6/7). In trauma, fat stranding was revealed in 50% (7/14) and most were in multiple areas (6/7). Regardless of the etiologies, fat stranding was always around the underlying lesion and a reticular pattern was the most common presentation. Logistic regression analysis revealed that multiple areas ( p = 0.040) of fat stranding and a reticulonodular pattern ( p = 0.022) are the significant predictors of malignant tumor. Conclusions These findings indicated that CT fat stranding can be used as a clue for identifying the underlying lesion and can be useful for narrowing the differential list based on the extent and pattern.

CT features of cutaneous and subcutaneous canine mast cell tumors and utility of conventional and indirect lymphography to detect clinically unknown mast cell tumors and to map the sentinel lymph nodes

“…In human medicine, this is histologically correlated with edema or engorgement of lymphatics developing around neoplastic or inflammatory lesions 29 . Similarly, a recent study in veterinary medicine described the features of fat stranding in dogs and cats with neoplastic, inflammatory, and traumatic injuries of the abdominal cavity or abdominal wall 30 . Multiple areas and a reticular pattern seem to correlate with malignancy 30 .…”

“…29 Similarly, a recent study in veterinary medicine described the features of fat stranding in dogs and cats with neoplastic, inflammatory, and traumatic injuries of the abdominal cavity or abdominal wall. 30 Multiple areas and a reticular pattern seem to correlate with malignancy. 30 Our study described the presence of this sign in association with MCTs in 43% of the detected MCTs, showing a subtle and homogeneous hazy increase attenuation distributed around the lesions.…”

“…30 Multiple areas and a reticular pattern seem to correlate with malignancy. 30 Our study described the presence of this sign in association with MCTs in 43% of the detected MCTs, showing a subtle and homogeneous hazy increase attenuation distributed around the lesions. In one case included in the present study, histopathology of the fat stranding confirmed the presence of edema and the absence of neoplastic cells, hence, it can be speculated that this sign could be attributable to MCT degranulation with the release of histamine, heparin, and other vasoactive amines.…”

CT findings in seven dogs with perforating wooden skewer foreign bodies from the gastrointestinal tract

“…The most common secondary finding was fat stranding with a reticular pattern adjacent to the perforation site. This is described as an abnormally increased attenuation in fat due to edema and engorgement of lymphatics ( Thornton et al ., 2011 ), found to be helpful for the localization of the underlying cause in dogs and cats ( Jang et al ., 2022 ). Despite in our cases, it was considered minimal in most of them, the presence of fat stranding adjacent to the stomach or a small bowel loop may aid in the identification of this type of perforating foreign body.…”

Computed tomographic features of exocrine pancreatic carcinomas in dogs and cats

“…Pancreatic carcinomas are often locally invasive and have been reported to be more frequently associated with secondary carcinomatosis than other types of intraabdominal carcinoma with discrete nodules/masses commonly detected on ultrasound or CT. 16,17 Fatstranding, a nonspecific finding of increased fat attenuation, has been reported to be more likely to be found in cases of malignant neoplasia or inflammation. 18 When there is severe inflammation, the appearance of the fat stranding has been reported to progress to a reticular pattern, with a reticulonodular pattern seen in cases of neoplastic disease. 19 In humans, pancreatic carcinomas have also been reported to invade the peripancreatic lymphatic system.…”