Prevalence, location and concurrent diseases of ultrasonographic cyst‐like lesions of abdominal lymph nodes in dogs

Abstract

Lymph nodal cyst-like lesions are occasionally identified during abdominal ultrasound in dogs. However, a study evaluating their prevalence and clinical significance is lacking. The aim of this observational cross-sectional study was to evaluate prevalence, most common location and concurrent diseases of cyst-like lymph nodes detected during abdominal ultrasound. Affected lymph nodes, patient signalment and concurrent diseases of dogs with cyst-like lymph nodal lesions having undergone abdominal ultrasound over a one-year period were recorded. Twenty-three affected lymph nodes were observed in 17/553 dogs (prevalence=3 per cent). The most commonly affected was the lumbar lymphocenter (7/23), followed by the coeliac (6/23), the cranial mesenteric (5/23) and the iliosacral (5/23). Twenty-three concurrent diseases were diagnosed in 17 dogs, among which 16/23 were non-neoplastic (70 per cent). The most common concurrent disease was renal insufficiency (8/23), followed by neoplasia (7/23), gastroenteropathy (3/23), benign prostatic disease (2/23), pancreatitis (1/23), peritonitis (1/23) and neurological disease (1/23). No statistical correlation existed between cyst-like lymph nodal lesion and a specific neoplastic or non-neoplastic disease. In conclusion, in the present study, cyst-like lymph nodal lesions have a low prevalence, involve different lymphocenters and were found in dogs affected by different diseases, including both non-neoplastic and neoplastic aetiologies.

Localized intestinal cryptococcosis and co‐parasitism in a juvenile dog

“…Depending on severity of changes, ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspirates can be obtained, as was the case in this patient who not only had lymphadenopathy, but whose nodes appeared cystic. In comparison to humans, cyst‐like abdominal nodal lesions in dogs do not correlate to a specific neoplastic or non‐neoplastic process 19 . Mesocestoides , an uncommon tapeworm, has been associated with cystic intra‐abdominal structures, 20 coccidia zoites can be found in mesenteric lymph nodes, 21 and visualization of other infectious agents such as fungal organisms versus lymph node reactivity prompted nodal aspiration in this patient.…”

“…In comparison to humans, cyst-like abdominal nodal lesions in dogs do not correlate to a specific neoplastic or nonneoplastic process. 19 Mesocestoides, an uncommon tapeworm, has been associated with cystic intra-abdominal structures, 20 coccidia zoites can be found in mesenteric lymph nodes, 21 and visualization of other infectious agents such as fungal organisms versus lymph node reactivity prompted nodal aspiration in this patient. Lymphoid hyperplasia was found consistently in this patient's samples.…”

Lymphknoten von Hund und Katze in der klassischen Bildgebung

“…Die abdominale Sonografie ermöglicht die Untersuchung der abdominalen Lymphzentren. Insbesondere die Lymphknoten des kranialen mesenterialen und des iliosakralen Lymphzentrums können regelmäßig auch unverändert dargestellt werden [10].…”

“…Zur Auffindung dienen Gefäße als Leitstrukturen: ▪ Jejunallymphknoten: in unmittelbarer Nähe links und rechts der mesenterialen Gefäße ▪ mediale Darmbeinlymphknoten: im Bereich zwischen der Aufzweigung der Aorta in die A. circumflexa ilium profunda und A. iliaca externa ▪ innere Darmbeinlymphknoten (vormalig Ln. hypogastricus): in dem Bereich zwischen der Aufzweigung der Aorta in die A. iliaca interna und A. sacralis mediana ▪ rechtsseitige Zäkumlymphknoten: in unmittelbarer Nachbarschaft zum ileocaecalen Übergang [10] Die übrigen abdominalen Lymphknoten werden in der Regel erst bei Vergrößerung sichtbar [8,10]. So kann beispielsweise ein sichtbarer Lymphknoten kranial der kleinen Kurvatur des Magens auf einen entzündlichen oder neoplastischen Prozess im Bereich des Magens hindeuten [11] (▶ Abb.…”

“…Sie können verschiedene Lymphzentren betreffen. Histologisch handelt es sich um sinusoidale Ektasien sowie sinusoidale Hämorrhagien [10].…”