Abstract
Simple SummaryIn the present work, we investigated the hypothesis that testicular tumor lesions of dogs could present a specific vascular pattern, which could be detected and differentiated by distinctive ultrasonography techniques. This is a relevant issue since it could contribute to determine their etiology based on the different vascular patterns before dogs undergo surgery. To this end, we implemented a multiple ultrasonographic approach consisting of B-Mode ultrasonography, color Doppler ultrasound, B-flow, and contrast enhanced ultrasound in 27 dogs with different testicular tumors, including leydigomas (n = 14), seminomas (n = 8), sertoliomas (n = 6), and mixed cells (n = 5). B-Mode ultrasonography did not differentiate tumor types. Pulsatility and resistive indexes of pampiniform and testicular arteries as assessed by pulse Doppler as well as the presence perilesional and/or perilesional/intralesional blood flow patterns as assessed by color and pulsed Doppler and B-flow differed between tumor types. In conclusion, despite the limited number of cases, we found that testicular tumors of dogs have subtly different vascular patterns. These architectural details are enhanced by multiparametric ultrasonography, which is highly recommended for the identification of their etiology.In this retrospective study, we assessed the accuracy of different blood flow imaging in diagnosing testicular tumor types in dogs. We recruited 27 dogs with leydigomas (14), seminomas (eight), sertoliomas (six), and mixed cells (five) confirmed histopathologically. In intact dogs, Pampiniform plexus and marginal arteries were scanned through pulsed Doppler. Blood flow and presence of intralesional/perilesional arteries were assessed by color and power Doppler, B-flow, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Tumor types did not differ by B-Mode ultrasonography characters. Pampiniform and testicular arteries of sertoliomas had higher (p < 0.05) pulsatility and resistive indexes. The proportion of leydigomas with a perilesional and/or perilesional/intralesional blood flow pattern detected by color and pulsed Doppler and B-flow was higher (p < 0.05) than that of the other tumors counted together. This resulted in a sensitivity of 81.8%, 83.3%, and 85.7%, a specificity of 76.5%, 56.3%, and 73.7%, and a correct classification rate of 78.6%, 67.9%, and 78.8%, respectively. While contrast enhanced ultrasound was highly effective in detecting all tumors, qualitative and quantitative parameters did not contribute to their differential diagnosis. In conclusion, results indicate that different testicular tumor types of dogs have subtly different vascular patterns, a condition that could help in identifying leydigomas.
Highlights
Testicular tumors represent the most common tumors of the canine male genitalia with a prevalence that ranges from 2% to 60% and an incidence that increases with age [1,2,3]
In the present study, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of two-dimensional ultrasonography combined with Doppler ultrasound, B-flow imaging, and contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the assessment of intra-testicular tumor lesions in dogs
CEUS did not allow for the differentiation of any testicular tumor type
Summary
Testicular tumors represent the most common tumors of the canine male genitalia with a prevalence that ranges from 2% to 60% and an incidence that increases with age [1,2,3]. Two-dimensional ultrasonography has been part of routine investigation of the male reproductive tract in both human and veterinary medicine [5,6]. It represents the imaging technique of choice for the detection and characterization of testicular lesions. Even though this diagnostic approach can help in differentiating neoplastic processes from other pathologies, such as orchitis, testicular torsion, and epididymitis, the ultrasonographic changes are not specific enough to identify the different types of testicular tumors [7,8]. Once detected, testicular tumor-like lesions require further characterization
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