Abstract
A total of 185 cases (150 retrospectively and 35 prospectively) of malignant liver masses were collected. In the retrospectively collected cases hyperenhancement during wash-in was the most common feature in HCCs but there was a high percentage of cases showing no enhancement or hypo/isoenhancement. ICCs displayed a large variety of contrast enhancement patterns and, although statically significant differences between ICCs and HCCs were evident, no clear distinction between these two pathologies was possible based only on their CEUS appearance. Sarcomas displayed all the possible degrees of wash-in enhancement with non-enhancing being the most common appearance. Metastases displayed all the possible contrast-enhancement patterns, with the most common being hyperenhancement in the wash-in phase followed by hypoenhancement in the wash-out phase. A decision tree was developed based on the features of the retrospectively selected cases. Based on the developed decision tree 27/35 prospectively collected cases were correctly classified. Even if some significant differences among groups were evident, all the histotypes displayed all the possible patterns of contrast enhancement, and, therefore, the differentiation of liver masses in dogs based only on their CEUS features is not feasible and, therefore, cytology or histopathology is required.
Highlights
A total of 185 cases (150 retrospectively and 35 prospectively) of malignant liver masses were collected
Tumours originating from hepatocytes are classified as hepatocellular adenomas or carcinomas (HCC), tumours arising from the bile duct epithelium are classified as biliary adenoma or cholangiocarcinoma (ICC); sarcomas arise from stromal cells, and neuroendocrine carcinomas originate from neuroendocrine cells[2]
In the last decade some research papers regarding the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the evaluation of canine[6,7,8] and feline[9] focal liver lesions have been published but, compared to the large number of articles available on this topic in human medicine, the veterinary literature is scarce and based on a small number of cases
Summary
A total of 185 cases (150 retrospectively and 35 prospectively) of malignant liver masses were collected. Even if some significant differences among groups were evident, all the histotypes displayed all the possible patterns of contrast enhancement, and, the differentiation of liver masses in dogs based only on their CEUS features is not feasible and, cytology or histopathology is required. In the last decade some research papers regarding the use of CEUS in the evaluation of canine[6,7,8] and feline[9] focal liver lesions have been published but, compared to the large number of articles available on this topic in human medicine, the veterinary literature is scarce and based on a small number of cases. Mixed Solid Cystic Focal Diffuse the CEUS features of malignant canine liver lesions, based on a relatively large number of retrospectively collected cases; (2) to compare such features with those reported in the literature; (3) to test the accuracy of CEUS in the prediction of tumour histotype on prospectively collected cases
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