title: Comparison of three-view thoracic radiography and computed tomography for detection of pulmonary nodules in dogs with neoplasia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the detection of pulmonary nodules by use of 3-view thoracic radiography and CT in dogs with confirmed neoplasia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  33 dogs of various breeds.
  
  
  METHODS
  3 interpreters independently evaluated 3-view thoracic radiography images. The location and size of pulmonary nodules were recorded. Computed tomographic scans of the thorax were obtained and evaluated by a single interpreter. The location, size, margin, internal architecture, and density of pulmonary nodules were recorded. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated for thoracic radiography (with CT as the gold standard).
  
  
  RESULTS
  21 of 33 (64%) dogs had pulmonary nodules or masses detected on CT. Of the dogs that had positive CT findings, 17 of 21 (81%) had pulmonary nodules or masses detected on radiographs by at least 1 interpreter. Sensitivity of radiography ranged from 71% to 95%, and specificity ranged from 67% to 92%. Radiography had a positive predictive value of 83% to 94% and a negative predictive value of 65% to 89%. The 4 dogs that were negative for nodules on thoracic radiography but positive on CT were all large-breed to giant-breed dogs with osteosarcoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CT was more sensitive than radiography for detection of pulmonary nodules. This was particularly evident in large-breed to giant-breed dogs. Thoracic CT is recommended in large-breed to giant-breed dogs with osteosarcoma if the detection of pulmonary nodules will change treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA. armbrust@vet.ksu.edu
authors.forename: Laura J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Armbrust
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Biller
authors.forename: Aubrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bamford
authors.forename: Ruthanne
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.forename: Laura D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Garrett
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Sanderson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*