Ultrasonographic Features of Canine Hepatic Nodular Hyperplasia

Abstract

Hepatic nodular hyperplasia is a benign, usually clinically inapparent, proliferative lesion commonly found at necropsy in older dogs. Three examples of hepatic nodular hyperplasia are described in dogs with clinical signs compatible with hepatic disease in which ultrasonography revealed a variety of echotextural changes in the liver similar to those reported in primary or secondary hepatic neoplasia. In subsequent in vitro ultrasonographic studies of hepatic nodular hyperplasia lesions detected at necropsy in dogs without clinical signs of hepatic disease, only subtle echotextural changes were seen. Hence, hepatic nodular hyperplasia may be inapparent in vivo in many dogs. Hepatic nodular hyperplasia is a potentially confusing sporadic finding which must be considered by ultrasonographers examining dogs with clinical signs of hepatic disease. The diagnosis of hepatic neoplasia should not be made on the basis of ultrasonographic findings alone.

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

“…H epatic and splenic masses are encountered frequently in dogs and reflect a range of pathological conditions including malignant neoplasia such as hepatocellular carcinoma and hemangiosarcoma, benign neoplasia such as hepatocellular adenoma and nonneoplastic conditions such as hepatic nodular hyperplasia and hematoma . Optimal management depends on accurate diagnosis and staging .…”

Can Sonographic Findings Predict the Results of Liver Aspirates in Dogs With Suspected Liver Disease?

“…A bdominal ultrasound has a significant role in the diagnosis of canine liver disease 1–4 . While specific sonographic signs have been described for certain hepatic diseases, 5–15 little is known about the overall value of abdominal ultrasound in that context. In 22 dogs with liver disease in which a definitive diagnosis was obtained, that diagnosis was predicted with ultrasound in only 11 (50%) 3 .…”

Analysis of clinical and ultrasonographic data by use of logistic regression models for prediction of malignant versus benign causes of ultrasonographically detected focal liver lesions in dogs

“…For example, the appearance of HCCs can be in 3 forms: mass form (single large mass), nodular form Analysis of clinical and ultrasonographic data by use of logistic regression models for prediction of malignant versus benign causes of ultrasonographically detected focal liver lesions in dogs (multiple nodules in ≥ 1 lobe), and diffuse or infiltrative form. 10 Target lesions, which consist of a focal lesion with a hyperechoic center surrounded by a hypoechoic rim, were originally considered to be strongly associated with malignancy, but they have also been found to be attributable to benign conditions. 8 Lymphosarcoma may have an ultrasonographically diffuse form (which causes decreased liver echogenicity), a poorly defined hypoechoic to anechoic form, and a nodular pattern consisting of multiple round hyperechoic foci surrounded by hypoechoic areas.…”

“…7 Bile duct carcinomas can also have the 3 forms of appearance seen with HCCs. 11 The assertion that the ultrasonographic features of FLLs are of little value for use in determining their cause can be traced to early veterinary studies [12][13][14][15][16] on the ultrasonographic appearance of liver cancer, studies 17,18 in humans in which the various characteristics of focal liver diseases are described, and veterinary studies 10,11,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25] in which investigators describe a wide variety of diseases that may cause ultrasonographically detectable FLLs. 9 Ultrasonographic features of lesions attributable to malignant and benign diseases of the liver may overlap.…”