Computed tomography image of the mediastinal and axillary lymph nodes in clinically sound Rottweilers

Trough computed tomography (CT), it is possible to evaluate lymph nodes in detail and to detect changes in these structures earlier than with radiographs and ultrasound. Lack of information in the veterinary literature directed the focus of this report to normal aspects of the axillary and mediastinal lymph nodes of adult dogs on CT imaging. A CT scan of 15 normal adult male and female Rottweilers was done. To define them as clinically sound, anamnesis, physical examination, complete blood count, renal and hepatic biochemistry, ECG, and thoracic radiographs were performed. After the intravenous injection of hydrosoluble ionic iodine contrast medium contiguous 10mm in thickness thoracic transverse images were obtained with an axial scanner. In the obtained images mediastinal and axillary lymph nodes were sought and when found measured in their smallest diameter and their attenuation was compared to musculature. Mean and standard deviation of: age, weight, body length and the smallest diameter of the axillary and mediastinal lymph nodes were determined. Mean and standard deviation of parameters: age 3.87±2.03 years, weight 41.13±5.12, and body length 89.61±2.63cm. Axillary lymph nodes were seen in 60% of the animals, mean of the smallest diameter was 3.58mm with a standard deviation of 2.02 and a minimum value of 1mm and a maximum value of 7mm. From 13 observed lymph nodes 61.53% were hypopodense when compared with musculature, and 30.77% were isodense. Mediastinal lymph nodes were identified in 73.33% of the dogs; mean measure of the smallest diameter was 4.71mm with a standard deviation of 2.61mm and a minimum value of 1mm, and a maximum value of 8mm. From 14 observed lymph nodes 85.71% were isodense when compared with musculature and 14.28% were hypodense. The results show that it is possible to visualize axillary and mediastinal lymph nodes in adult clinically sound Rottweilers with CT using a slice thickness and interval of 10mm. The smallest diameter of the axillary and mediastinal lymph nodes not surpassed 7mm and 8mm respectively. Their attenuations were equal or smaller than that of musculature in the post contrast scan

Computed tomography image of the mediastinal and axillary lymph nodes in clinically sound Rottweilers Imagem por tomografia computadorizada dos linfonodos axilares e mediastinais de cães rottweilers clinicamente saudáveis

Trough computed tomography (CT), it is possible to evaluate lymph nodes in detail and to detect changes in these structures earlier than with radiographs and ultrasound. Lack of information in the veterinary literature directed the focus of this report to normal aspects of the axillary and mediastinal lymph nodes of adult dogs on CT imaging. A CT scan of 15 normal adult male and female Rottweilers was done. To define them as clinically sound, anamnesis, physical examination, complete blood count, renal and hepatic biochemistry, ECG, and thoracic radiographs were performed. After the intravenous injection of hydrosoluble ionic iodine contrast medium contiguous 10mm in thickness thoracic transverse images were obtained with an axial scanner. In the obtained images mediastinal and axillary lymph nodes were sought and when found measured in their smallest diameter and their attenuation was compared to musculature. Mean and standard deviation of: age, weight, body length and the smallest diameter of the axillary and mediastinal lymph nodes were determined. Mean and standard deviation of parameters: age 3.87±2.03 years, weight 41.13±5.12, and body length 89.61±2.63cm. Axillary lymph nodes were seen in 60% of the animals, mean of the smallest diameter was 3.58mm with a standard deviation of 2.02 and a minimum value of 1mm and a maximum value of 7mm. From 13 observed lymph nodes 61.53% were hypopodense when compared with musculature, and 30.77% were isodense. Mediastinal lymph nodes were identified in 73.33% of the dogs; mean measure of the smallest diameter was 4.71mm with a standard deviation of 2.61mm and a minimum value of 1mm, and a maximum value of 8mm. From 14 observed lymph nodes 85.71% were isodense when compared with musculature and 14.28% were hypodense. The results show that it is possible to visualize axillary and mediastinal lymph nodes in adult clinically sound Rottweilers with CT using a slice thickness and interval of 10mm. The smallest diameter of the axillary and mediastinal lymph nodes not surpassed 7mm and 8mm respectively. Their attenuations were equal or smaller than that of musculature in the post contrast scan.A tomografia computadorizada é uma modalidade diagnóstica que possibilita a avaliação detalhada dos linfonodos e que é capaz de detectar mais precocemente alterações envolvendo estas estruturas, que modalidades de imagem como a radiografia e a ultrassonografia. Tendo em vista a escassez de informações na literatura veterinária esta pesquisa objetivou fornecer informações sobre os aspectos tomográficos normais dos linfonodos axilares e mediastinais em cães. Realizou-se o exame tomográfico de 15 cães adultos, machos e fêmeas, da raça Rottweiler, selecionados como clinicamente normais por meio de anamnese, exame físico, hemograma, perfil bioquímico renal e hepático, eletrocardiograma e exame radiográfico do tórax. Após a injeção intravenosa do contraste iodado hidrossolúvel iônico, realizaram-se cortes tomográficos transversais do tórax com 10mm de espessura e 10mm de incremento em um tomógrafo axial. Os exames tomográficos foram avaliados buscando-se identificar os linfonodos axilares e mediastinais. Quando visibilizados, os linfonodos foram mensurados em seu menor eixo e sua atenuação foi comparada com a da musculatura. Foram calculados a média e desvio padrão da idade, do peso, do comprimento dos animais e do menor eixo dos linfonodos axilares e mediastinais. A média de idade dos animais e o desvio padrão foram de 3,87 anos ±2,03, do peso foi de 41,13kg ± 5,12 e do comprimento dos animais foi de 89,61cm ±2,63. Os linfonodos axilares foram visibilizados em 60% dos animais, a média das mensurações dos menores diâmetros e o desvio padrão foi de 3,58mm ±2,02 com valor mínimo de 1mm e máximo de 7mm. Dos 13 linfonodos observados 61,53% apresentaram-se hipoatenuantes comparativamente a musculatura e 30,77% isoatenuantes. Os linfonodos mediastinais foram observados em 73,33% dos cães, a média das mensurações dos menores diâmetros e o desvio padrão foi 4,71mm ±2,61 com valor mínimo de 1mm e máximo de 8mm. Dos 14 linfonodos observados 85,71% apresentaram-se isoatenuantes comparativamente a musculatura e 14,28% apresentaram-se hipoatenuantes. A partir deste estudo confirmou-se que em cães da raça Rottweiler os linfonodos axilares e mediastinais podem ser visibilizados ao exame tomográfico em cortes de 10 milímetros de espessura com igual incremento. Seus diâmetros menores não ultrapassaram 7mm no referente aos linfonodos axilares e 8mm para os mediastinais, e sua atenuação foi iso ou hipoatenuante em relação à musculatura no exame pós-contraste

Computed tomography image of the mediastinal and axillary lymph nodes in clinically sound Rottweilers

Trough computed tomography (CT), it is possible to evaluate lymph nodes in detail and to detect changes in these structures earlier than with radiographs and ultrasound. Lack of information in the veterinary literature directed the focus of this report to normal aspects of the axillary and mediastinal lymph nodes of adult dogs on CT imaging. A CT scan of 15 normal adult male and female Rottweilers was done. To define them as clinically sound, anamnesis, physical examination, complete blood count, renal and hepatic biochemistry, ECG, and thoracic radiographs were performed. After the intravenous injection of hydrosoluble ionic iodine contrast medium contiguous 10mm in thickness thoracic transverse images were obtained with an axial scanner. In the obtained images mediastinal and axillary lymph nodes were sought and when found measured in their smallest diameter and their attenuation was compared to musculature. Mean and standard deviation of: age, weight, body length and the smallest diameter of the axillary and mediastinal lymph nodes were determined. Mean and standard deviation of parameters: age 3.87±2.03 years, weight 41.13±5.12, and body length 89.61±2.63cm. Axillary lymph nodes were seen in 60% of the animals, mean of the smallest diameter was 3.58mm with a standard deviation of 2.02 and a minimum value of 1mm and a maximum value of 7mm. From 13 observed lymph nodes 61.53% were hypopodense when compared with musculature, and 30.77% were isodense. Mediastinal lymph nodes were identified in 73.33% of the dogs; mean measure of the smallest diameter was 4.71mm with a standard deviation of 2.61mm and a minimum value of 1mm, and a maximum value of 8mm. From 14 observed lymph nodes 85.71% were isodense when compared with musculature and 14.28% were hypodense. The results show that it is possible to visualize axillary and mediastinal lymph nodes in adult clinically sound Rottweilers with CT using a slice thickness and interval of 10mm. The smallest diameter of the axillary and mediastinal lymph nodes not surpassed 7mm and 8mm respectively. Their attenuations were equal or smaller than that of musculature in the post contrast scan