title: Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the performance of various radiographic protocols when screening dogs for pulmonary metastases.
abstract: Five radiographic protocols for detecting pulmonary metastases in dogs were compared by analyzing receiver operating characteristic curves for the protocols. Protocols compared were a right lateral view only, a left lateral view only, right lateral and dorsoventral views, both lateral views, and all 3 views. Three radiologists used each of the protocols to evaluate 99 sets of thoracic radiographs. Fifty-two sets of radiographs were from dogs confirmed histologically to have pulmonary metastases and 47 were from dogs proven at necropsy to be free of pulmonary metastases. Results of the 5 protocols were not statistically different. We concluded that a third view is not necessary when routinely screening dogs with cancer for pulmonary metastases and that the standard 2-view thoracic examination should be adequate. However, in individual cases, a third view may be the determining factor in establishing a radiographic diagnosis and should be obtained if any suspicious areas are seen.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Davis, CA.
authors.forename: P Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Barthez
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Hornof
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Théon
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Craychee
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary / Q000662:veterinary*; D012372:ROC Curve; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013679:Technology, Radiologic / Q000662:veterinary*