La ecografía del páncreas canino

This study describes the ultrasonographic techniques currently used in the evaluation of the canine pancreas. Ultrasonography was the first method to enable direct visualization of the pancreas in humans and it has been subsequently applied to animals. Currently, it is the method of choice for pancreatic evaluation and is essential as a diagnostic tool in the detection of abnormalities, especially tumors. Innovative equipment technology has led to the emergence of techniques complementary to B-mode ultrasound; such as Doppler, elastography, and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, which have enabled more accurate diagnosis. Doppler provides information on vascular architecture and the hemodynamic aspect of blood vessels in multiple organs. ARFI elastography provides detailed images of the alterations detected by conventional examination (qualitative method) and assists in differentiating between benign and malignant processes (quantitative method). Microbubble contrast agents determine parameters related to homogeneous and heterogeneous filling of organs with microbubbles, mainly nodular areas, thus defining high and low intensity patterns.Este estudio describe las técnicas ecográficas frecuentemente utilizadas para evaluar el pancreas del perro. La ecografía fue el primer método que permitió la visualización directa del páncreas en seres humanos y que luego se aplicó en animales. Es actualmente el método de elección para la evaluación del páncreas y es esencial como herramienta diagnóstica en la detección de anomalías, especialmente tumores. La tecnología innovadora de los equipos, llevó a la aparición de técnicas complementarias al modo B, tales como Doppler, elastografía, ecografía de contraste, que han permitido realizar diagnósticos más precisos. El Doppler proporciona información sobre la arquitectura vascular y aspectos hemodinámicos de los vasos sanguíneos en múltiples órganos. La elastografía ARFI ofrece imágenes detalladas de las alteraciones detectadas en exámenes convencionales (método cualitativo) y ayuda a diferenciar entre procesos benignos y malignos (método cuantitativo). Los agentes de contraste con microburbujas permiten determinar parámetros relacionados con el llenado homogéneo o heterogéneo de los órganos, principalmente áreas nodulares, definiendo, por tanto, patrones de alta o baja intensidad

Ultrasonographic tools used in the evaluation of the canine spleen: A review

Abstract The spleen is one of the most susceptible organs to primary tumours, metastasis, and a wide range of diseases of the hematopoietic system. Therefore, detailed assessment of the spleen is of great importance in veterinary medicine, especially in dogs, due to their economic and sentimental value, and as an experimental model in human medicine. Considering the recent advances in diagnostic imaging in companion animals, this review aims to describe the applicability of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography (qualitative and quantitative), Doppler, and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for evaluating the spleen in dogs. The ARFI elastography is a recent ultrasound method that can provide reference values and aid in the diagnosis and evaluation of splenic abnormalities routinely encountered in veterinary practice. Conventional ultrasonography of the spleen combined with haemodynamic analysis by Doppler and contrast enhanced ultrasonography is an important tool in diagnosis and triage