Mass-to-splenic volume ratio and splenic weight as a percentage of body weight in dogs with malignant and benign splenic masses: 65 cases (2007–2008)

Abstract

Results suggested that mass-to-splenic volume ratio and splenic weight as a percentage of body weight may be useful in differentiating between hemangiosarcoma and benign lesions in dogs with splenic masses.

Associations Between Dual‐phase Computed Tomography Features and Histopathologic Diagnoses in 52 Dogs With Hepatic or Splenic Masses

“…Marked focal contrast accumulation in hemangiosarcomas was reported recently, possibly representing contrast medium in wide vascular spaces within these tumors . Splenic malignant neoplasms, most of which are hemangiosarcomas, frequently contain extensive hemorrhage or necrosis and so may be difficult to distinguish from hematoma on the basis of either gross or histologic examination . As noted above with respect to hepatic masses, other imaging techniques that depict vascularity of tissues also have limited potential to distinguish the histologic types of splenic mass …”

A comparison of microRNA expression profiles from splenic hemangiosarcoma, splenic nodular hyperplasia, and normal spleens of dogs

“…Several studies have reported approximately 70% of dogs with non-traumatic hemoperitoneum had hemangiosarcoma [1–3]. Hemoperitoneum is reported in 63–80% of dogs with hemangiosarcoma, compared with only 30% of dogs with benign splenic masses [4, 5]. This has led to the ‘double 2/3 rule,’ which is currently used to give owners a prediction of the odds of each of the possibilities [6].…”

“…Many studies have attempted to identify repeatable measures or other techniques that might distinguish malignant from benign masses [5, 9–14]. For instance, mass-to-splenic volume ratio and splenic weight as a percentage of body weight have been used to differentiate malignant from benign splenic lesions, with hemangiosarcoma masses being smaller in both categories [5].…”

“…For instance, mass-to-splenic volume ratio and splenic weight as a percentage of body weight have been used to differentiate malignant from benign splenic lesions, with hemangiosarcoma masses being smaller in both categories [5]. However, these values can only be calculated after splenectomy, and splenic size can change due to contraction or engorgement in response to medications or hemoperitoneum.…”

“…While splenic aspirates may be beneficial for certain neoplasms such as lymphosarcoma, they usually fail to aid in the diagnosis of many splenic tumors due to blood contamination and poor exfoliation. Also, some clinicians recommend not aspirating the spleen in suspected cases of hemangiosarcoma due to risk of tumor rupture and seeding of the tumor into the abdomen [5, 6]. Testing of blood with multi-parameter flow cytometry and measuring levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and thymidine kinase have been evaluated, but have not been found to be definitive diagnostic tools [12–14].…”