Sonographic examination of the multicentric lmyphoma in dogs

Purpose: The diagnosis and staging of multicentric lymphoma include sonographic examination of the abdomen. Routinely the spleen, liver and abdominal lymph nodes are assessed.

The aim of the present study was evaluate whether the diagnosis “multicentric lymphoma” could be confirmed most likely on the basis of specific sonographic changes.

Materials and methods: Retrospective analysis of data from 76 patients with multicentric lymphoma for which ultrasonographic images were available. Inclusion criteria were cytological or histological diagnosis of the multicentric lymphoma. Exclusion criterion was administration of cytostatic agents prior to diagnosis.

Results: In all dogs with multicentric lymphoma the abdominal lymph nodes were massively rounded and enlarged. The nodal parenchyma of 73% of the 76 patients presented as hypoechoic.

A moth-eaten pattern of the splenic parenchyma was diagnosed in 62 dogs. Only two patients displayed a physiological spleen. In 23 dogs the gallbladder was altered within the meaning of cholecystitis.

The sonography revealed in 26 dogs hepatic parenchymatous changes.

Conclusions: Sonographic changes of the spleen and abdominal lymph nodes are often diagnosed in dogs with multicentric lymphoma. Splenic moth-eaten pattern and enlarged, rounded and hypoechoic abdominal lymph nodes are combined an indicative parameter of malignancy. In contrast an abnormal appearance of the liver is no evidence that lymphoma is existing.