Evaluation of radiographs for the detection of sublumbar lymphadenopathy in dogs

Murphy, M. C., Sullivan, M., Gomes, B. J., Kaczmarska, A. and Hammond, G. J.C. (2020) Evaluation of radiographs for the detection of sublumbar lymphadenopathy in dogs. Canadian Veterinary Journal: Revue Veterinaire Canadienne, 61(7), pp. 749-756. (PMID:32655159) (PMCID:PMC7296867)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate radiographs for the detection of sublumbar lymph node (SLN) enlargement. Ultrasound was used to determine SLN size. Twenty-two dogs with anal gland adenocarcinoma or lymphoma were prospectively included, with 16/22 having SLN enlargement on ultrasound. Twenty-one dogs without enlargement were retrospectively included as controls. Three blinded observers evaluated 43 right lateral abdominal radiographs for the presence of SLN enlargement. Sensitivity and specificity of radiographs for the detection of SLN enlargement were 81%/70%, 94%/81%, and 75%/100% for a general practitioner, imaging resident, and radiologist, respectively. Ventral displacement of the colon, a soft tissue opacity in the caudal retroperitoneal space and loss of conspicuity of the ventral margin of the iliopsoas muscle were radiographic findings significantly associated with identification ( -values < 0.05). Markedly enlarged SLNs (> 21.5 mm) were consistently detected radiographically by observers with specialist imaging training. Key clinical message: Radiographic visualization should raise suspicion of neoplastic infiltration of SLN but lack of visualization does not exclude mild to moderate enlargement. Additional imaging such as ultrasound or computed tomography remains important to confirm or exclude sublumbar lymphadenopathy.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: ** From PubMed via Jisc Publications Router
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Sullivan, Professor Martin and Murphy, Megan Cooper and Hammond, Dr Gawain
• Authors: Murphy, M. C., Sullivan, M., Gomes, B. J., Kaczmarska, A., and Hammond, G. J.C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Canadian Veterinary Journal: Revue Veterinaire Canadienne
• Publisher: Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
• ISSN: 0008-5286