Evaluation of two-dimensional ultrasonography and computed tomography in the mapping and measuring of canine urinary bladder tumors

Abstract

Determining the dimensions of transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs) of the urinary bladder in dogs is important in assessing tumor progression and the response to treatment. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of a standardized two-dimensional (2-D) ultrasound (US) protocol performed by a single experienced operator. Secondary aims were to compare World Health Organization (WHO) and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) guidelines, and to compare measurements by two operators following these guidelines. These were evaluated by inter-operator and intra-operator reliability using the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and Cohen’s κ statistics, which demonstrated substantial to better agreement by an experienced operator using either set of guidelines. It was demonstrated that 2-D US provides a reliable means to determine the dimensions of urinary bladder TCC when an experienced operator used a standardized protocol. In a subset of dogs, urinary bladder distension was varied, which resulted in differences in measurement with 2-D US and computed tomography.