Power Dopler Ultrasonography vs Color Dopler of the Sentinel Lymph Mammary Glands at Female Dog

Abstract

The DOPLER ultrasonography is a relatively new technique in exploring the lymphatic system. Doppler ultrasonography is a further technique of ultrasound investigation applicable especially to vascular structures and also to the blood flow from these structures. As an independent technique it is used particularly in assessing the superficial or deep arteries and veins (abdominal, pelvic), except in evaluating the intracranial segments of internal carotid arteries, where magnetic resonance or angiography is sovereign. Doppler examination method complements twodimensional ultrasonography applied to organs and parenchyma structures. The objective pursued by the Doppler technique, related to the lymph nodes is represented by the blood flow of lymph vessels. Doppler obtained data refer to: the presence, direction, speed and character of the blood flow that contributes to generating the Doppler signal. The aim of the study is to compare the two methods which use Doppler effect, color Doppler and power Doppler in assessing vascular architectonics of sentinel lymph nodes of mammary glands and to determine the method with the highest sensitivity to identify lymph vessels. 38 lymph nodes belonging to 18 bitches, of which 14 were presenting pathology and 4 subjects showed no associated pathology were examined using ultrasound. 18 metastatic lymph nodes were identified, which revealed impaired vascular architectonics, 12 lymph nodes with inflammatory increased vascular signal and 6 normal. At 2 lymph nodes the presence of vascular signal was not observed. The Power Doppler method identified more accurately the vascular signal compared to the Color Doppler ultrasound.