title: Comparison between ultrasonographic findings of benign and malignant canine mammary gland tumours using B-mode, colour Doppler, power Doppler and spectral Doppler.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the comparison between the ultrasonographic features of canine mammary tumours, assessed by B-Mode, colour Doppler, power Doppler, spectral Doppler, and histopathologic features, would help to differentiate if a tumour is benign or malignant. Ultrasonographic examinations of 104 tumours were performed. Volume, margins, presence of a capsule, echotexture and presence and distribution of the vascular flow of the tumours were evaluated. All the tumours were surgically removed, submitted for histopathologic examination and classified in two groups: Group I (benign tumours) and Group II (malignant tumours). Echotexture was the only parameter evaluated by B-Mode ultrasonography where significant differences were found (p<0.01), with tumours in Group I being homogeneous and tumours in Group II presenting greater heterogeneity. Presence of vascular flow was observed in most of the tumours from both groups and no differences between them were found. Regarding flow distribution, significant differences were observed between groups (p<0.05). In benign tumours, the most common vascular pattern was the peripheral, showing significant differences (p<0.05) compared to mixed and central patterns. In malignant tumours the mixed pattern was the most frequent. Also significant differences among other patterns (peripheral and central) were found. Concerning vascular resistivity and pulsatility indexes, there were no significant differences between the two groups. The echotexture and type of vascular flow pattern of canine mammary gland tumours may help, in a first examination of the tumour, to differentiate between benign and malignant tumours; however to reach a definitive diagnosis histological study is required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Murcia University, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain. Electronic address: mtasoler@um.es.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soler
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Elisabet
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dominguez
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Murcia University, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Xiomara
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Novellas
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Murcia University, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Kassia Valeria
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Gomes-Coelho
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Espada
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Murcia University, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Amalia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agut
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D015674:Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Canine; Doppler ultrasound; Mammary gland tumours