Abstract
ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to report the prevalence of a honeycomb appearance of the spleen in a population of referral cats presented for ultrasound examination, and to determine the diagnostic value of this finding vs the definitive diagnosis, the splenic cytological and haematological results.MethodsData were obtained from the medical records (2016–2018) of cats that had an ultrasonographic honeycomb appearance of the spleen, a splenic cytological diagnosis and a complete blood count.ResultsTwenty-five cats were included. Prevalence of the honeycomb pattern was 6.8%. None of the spleen was considered normal on cytology and four types of lesions were found: lymphoid hyperplasia (64%), neoplasia (16%), extramedullary haematopoiesis (12%) and splenitis (8%). A honeycomb pattern was successfully identified with a linear high-frequency probe in all cats, but only in 36% of cases with the micro-convex probe. Follow-up information was available for four cats, in which the honeycomb appearance persisted up to 105 days after the first examination; there was persistence of the honeycomb pattern in all cases. Cats with a splenic cytological diagnosis of extramedullary haematopoiesis had the lowest haemoglobin plasma concentration (P = 0.011).Conclusions and relevanceHoneycomb appearance of the spleen is uncommon in cats and, in our study, was systematically associated with cytological alterations; most of the time it was benign (84%). The use of a high-frequency linear probe improves its detection rate. No epidemiological, ultrasonographic or clinical criteria allow differentiation between the different types of infiltration and fine-needle aspiration is therefore recommended.
Highlights
The ultrasonographic (US) honeycomb appearance of the spleen corresponds to the presence of multiple, small, disseminated hypoechoic nodules in the splenic parenchyma giving a mottled appearance.[1]. This feature is sometimes called a ‘Swiss-cheese-like’ or ‘motheaten’ appearance.[2]. It has been reported in association with many medical conditions, either benign or malignant.[3,4,5]
Cats were included in the study if spleen cytological analyses were performed and if results of contemporary complete blood count (CBC) were available
Characteristics of the study population Between January 2016 and September 2018, a total of 529 cats were presented for US evaluation, and 36 cats presented with a honeycomb appearance of the spleen on US examination, leading to a prevalence of this US feature of 6.8%
Summary
The ultrasonographic (US) honeycomb appearance of the spleen corresponds to the presence of multiple, small, disseminated hypoechoic nodules in the splenic parenchyma giving a mottled appearance.[1]. To the best of our knowledge, no study was conducted in cats to determine the clinical significance of a honeycomb appearance of the spleen
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