title: [Sonographically detectable splenic disorders in dogs with malignant lymphoma].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the frequency of different sonographic splenic disorders in dogs with different anatomic forms of malignant lymphoma. Additionally, the occurrence of the moth-eaten pattern in the parenchyma of the spleen in patients with diseases other than lymphoma should be investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of patient data collected from dogs histologically or cytologically diagnosed with malignant lymphoma and for which ultrasonographic images were available before the initiation of therapy. Patient data from dogs with a moth-eaten pattern within the splenic parenchyma were evaluated separately. Exclusion criterion was the administration of cytostatic agents prior to diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 84% of 164 dogs with malignant lymphoma, an altered pattern of the spleen was diagnosed ultrasonographically. Ninety-four of these 137 patients had a moth-eaten pattern of the splenic parenchyma and 43 dogs displayed abnormalities in the form of splenomegaly, coarse echotexture or other changes of the parenchyma. When a moth-eaten pattern was diagnosed, the affected dogs suffered significantly more often from a multicentric lymphoma (95%) than from any other anatomical lymphoma form. Only one dog displayed a moth-eaten pattern of the splenic parenchyma without diagnosis of a malignant lymphoma. The positive predictive value of the moth-eaten pattern for malignant lymphoma was 99% and, in particular, for the multicentric lymphoma this was 95%. In total, 84% of the 164 dogs displayed a multicentric lymphoma, 5% a mediastinal or a cutaneous lymphoma, respectively, 4% a gastrointestinal lymphoma, and one animal had an ocular or renal lymphoma, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sonographic changes of the spleen are often diagnosed in dogs with malignant lymphoma, independent of the anatomical lymphoma form. When the moth-eaten pattern is observed, it is very likely that the affected dog suffers from a malignant lymphoma, most probably a multicentric lymphoma.
authors.affiliation: Franziska Eberhardt, Klinik für Kleintiere der Universität Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 23, 04104 Leipzig, E-Mail: Franziska.Eberhardt@Kleintierklinik.uni-leipzig.de.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Eberhardt
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Köhler
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Krastel
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Winter
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alef
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kiefer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Ultrasonography; dog; lymphoma; moth-eaten pattern; spleen