title: Use of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Differential Diagnosis of Adrenal Tumors in Dogs.
abstract: We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), using a second-generation microbubble contrast agent, in differentiating the different types of adrenal mass lesions in 24 dogs. At B-mode ultrasound, 9 lesions involved the right adrenal gland, 14 the left, and 1 was bilateral. Each dog received a bolus of the contrast agent into the cephalic vein, immediately followed by a 5-mL saline flush. The first contrast enhancement of each adrenal lesion was evaluated qualitatively to assess the degree of enhancement and its distribution during the wash-in and wash-out phases, as well as the presence of non-vascularized areas and specific vascular patterns. Pathological diagnoses were determined in all dogs by histopathology or by cytology. Combining enhancement degree and vascularity resulted in the best predictive model, allowing CEUS to differentiate adrenocortical adenoma (n=10), adenocarcinoma (n=7), and pheochromocytoma (n=7) with an accuracy of 91.7% (P < 0.001). Combining enhancement degree and vascularity, CEUS can discriminate malignant versus benign adrenal lesions with a sensitivity of 100.0%, a specificity of 80.0%, and an accuracy of 91.7% (P < 0.001). In conclusion, results of this study confirm that CEUS is useful for differentiating between the different types of adrenal tumors in dogs.
authors.affiliation: From the Tyrus Clinica Veterinaria, Terni, Italy (P.B., R.O., A.D., C.P.); Ultravet Diagnostic, Bologna, Italy (G.R.); Centro Veterinario Specialistico, Roma, Italy (P.F.); Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, Ozzano Emilia, Italy (A.D.); Animal Endocrine Clinic, New York, NY (M.E.P.); and Laboratorio di Biotecnologie Fisiologiche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy (C.B.).
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bargellini
authors.affiliation: From the Tyrus Clinica Veterinaria, Terni, Italy (P.B., R.O., A.D., C.P.); Ultravet Diagnostic, Bologna, Italy (G.R.); Centro Veterinario Specialistico, Roma, Italy (P.F.); Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, Ozzano Emilia, Italy (A.D.); Animal Endocrine Clinic, New York, NY (M.E.P.); and Laboratorio di Biotecnologie Fisiologiche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy (C.B.).
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Orlandi
authors.affiliation: From the Tyrus Clinica Veterinaria, Terni, Italy (P.B., R.O., A.D., C.P.); Ultravet Diagnostic, Bologna, Italy (G.R.); Centro Veterinario Specialistico, Roma, Italy (P.F.); Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, Ozzano Emilia, Italy (A.D.); Animal Endocrine Clinic, New York, NY (M.E.P.); and Laboratorio di Biotecnologie Fisiologiche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy (C.B.).
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dentini
authors.affiliation: From the Tyrus Clinica Veterinaria, Terni, Italy (P.B., R.O., A.D., C.P.); Ultravet Diagnostic, Bologna, Italy (G.R.); Centro Veterinario Specialistico, Roma, Italy (P.F.); Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, Ozzano Emilia, Italy (A.D.); Animal Endocrine Clinic, New York, NY (M.E.P.); and Laboratorio di Biotecnologie Fisiologiche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy (C.B.).
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paloni
authors.affiliation: From the Tyrus Clinica Veterinaria, Terni, Italy (P.B., R.O., A.D., C.P.); Ultravet Diagnostic, Bologna, Italy (G.R.); Centro Veterinario Specialistico, Roma, Italy (P.F.); Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, Ozzano Emilia, Italy (A.D.); Animal Endocrine Clinic, New York, NY (M.E.P.); and Laboratorio di Biotecnologie Fisiologiche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy (C.B.).
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rubini
authors.affiliation: From the Tyrus Clinica Veterinaria, Terni, Italy (P.B., R.O., A.D., C.P.); Ultravet Diagnostic, Bologna, Italy (G.R.); Centro Veterinario Specialistico, Roma, Italy (P.F.); Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, Ozzano Emilia, Italy (A.D.); Animal Endocrine Clinic, New York, NY (M.E.P.); and Laboratorio di Biotecnologie Fisiologiche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy (C.B.).
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fonti
authors.affiliation: From the Tyrus Clinica Veterinaria, Terni, Italy (P.B., R.O., A.D., C.P.); Ultravet Diagnostic, Bologna, Italy (G.R.); Centro Veterinario Specialistico, Roma, Italy (P.F.); Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, Ozzano Emilia, Italy (A.D.); Animal Endocrine Clinic, New York, NY (M.E.P.); and Laboratorio di Biotecnologie Fisiologiche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy (C.B.).
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diana
authors.affiliation: From the Tyrus Clinica Veterinaria, Terni, Italy (P.B., R.O., A.D., C.P.); Ultravet Diagnostic, Bologna, Italy (G.R.); Centro Veterinario Specialistico, Roma, Italy (P.F.); Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, Ozzano Emilia, Italy (A.D.); Animal Endocrine Clinic, New York, NY (M.E.P.); and Laboratorio di Biotecnologie Fisiologiche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy (C.B.).
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.affiliation: From the Tyrus Clinica Veterinaria, Terni, Italy (P.B., R.O., A.D., C.P.); Ultravet Diagnostic, Bologna, Italy (G.R.); Centro Veterinario Specialistico, Roma, Italy (P.F.); Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, Ozzano Emilia, Italy (A.D.); Animal Endocrine Clinic, New York, NY (M.E.P.); and Laboratorio di Biotecnologie Fisiologiche, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy (C.B.).
authors.forename: Cristiano
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boiti
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media