title: [Computer tomographic differentiation of intrathoracic neoplasms and inflammation in the dog].
abstract: The purpose of this study was to elaborate on the advantages and limits of computed tomography (CT) in the differentiation of thoracic lesions, in particular neoplasias. In the course of the investigation CT-scans of the thorax of 31 dogs with lesions in the area of the lungs or mediastinum were evaluated. The lesions were rated by morphology, distribution pattern, attenuation values and contrast-enhancement. Biopsies or the whole body underwent a pathohistological examination. Of the 31 dogs 17 had neoplastic and 14 had inflammatory lesions in the thoracic region. With help of the CT, the exact localisations of the different lesions was possible in most cases. Due to their characteristic morphologies, distribution patterns and attenuation values the differentiation between inflammatory and neoplastic lesions was possible in most cases (n=25/31) on the basis of the CT-scans. Mean non-enhanced CT attenuation values of the neoplastic lesions ranged between 31 and 50 HU, of the inflammatory lesions between -251 and 9 HU. Both neoplastic and inflammatory lesions showed contrast enhancement (between 14 and 38 HU and between 2 and 95 HU respectively). The mediastinal abcesses enhanced mainly on the periphery of the lesion. A differentiation of the various types of neoplastic lesions based on the non-enhanced attenuation values was not successful. Only metastasis could be differentiated because of their distribution pattern.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für kleine Haustiere der Tierarztlichen Hochschule Hannover.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schuller
authors.forename: Mathilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fredericksen
authors.forename: Heike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schröder
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meyer-Lindenberg
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hewicker-Trautwein
authors.forename: Ingo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nolte
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D007249:Inflammation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*