Survey of factors affecting satisfaction and success of residents enrolled in European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (ECVDI) residency programs

Several published studies have described the success and satisfaction of residents enrolled in human radiology training programs, however comparable studies for veterinary radiology residents are currently lacking. The purpose of this descriptive, survey study was to evaluate resident perceptions of the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (ECVDI) residency training programs. A web-based survey was sent to all listed 114 ECVDI residents and received a 57.0% response (65/114). Of these, 88% of respondents enjoyed their training and 73.5% of finishing respondents agreed they felt ready to work as a veterinary radiologist. First-time pass rates for the theoretical and practical components of the board certifying examinations were >80%. Regarding research and exam preparation, 41.5% and 49.2% of respondents, respectively, did not feel they received appropriate guidance. Eleven percent of respondents felt a lack of mentoring and 7.7% reported  not receiving annual appraisals. Findings from this study can be used as background for future studies on perceptions of ECVDI residents and ECVDI residency program directors and for future policy decisions regarding ECVDI residency training programs

Imaging features of retroperitoneal extra-adrenal paragangliomas in 10 dogs

Retroperitoneal paragangliomas are rare tumors of the neuroendocrine system. Only a few canine case reports are available with rare descriptions of their imaging features. The objectives of this multi-center, retrospective case series study were to describe the diagnostic imaging features of confirmed retroperitoneal paragangliomas and specify their location. Medical records and imaging studies of 10 affected dogs with cytological or histopathologic results concordant with retroperitoneal paragangliomas were evaluated. Dogs had a median age of 9 years. Four of them had clinical signs and laboratory reports compatible with excessive production of catecholamines. Six ultrasound, four CT, four radiographic, and one MRI studies were included. The paragangliomas did not have a specific location along the aorta. They were of various sizes (median 33 mm, range: 9-85 mm of length). Masses had heterogeneous parenchyma in six of 10 dogs, regardless of the imaging modality. Strong contrast enhancement was found in all CT studies. Encircling of at least one vessel was detected in six of 10 masses, clear invasion of a vessel was identified in one of 10 masses. In five of 10 cases, the masses were initially misconstrued as lymph nodes by the on-site radiologist. Retroperitoneal paragangliomas appear along the abdominal aorta, often presenting heterogeneous parenchyma, possibly affecting the local vasculature, and displaying strong contrast enhancement on CT. Clinical signs can be secondary to mass effects or excessive catecholamine production. Underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of this tumor are suspected as they can be silent, of small size, or confused with other structures

MRI findings of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in a cat.

Case summaryA 2-year-old male domestic shorthair cat presented to the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital with a 2 week history of altered mentation, blindness and focal epileptic seizures. MRI examination revealed generalised cerebral and cerebellar atrophy, diffuse T2-weighted hyperintensity of the white matter and meningeal thickening. Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis was confirmed on post-mortem examination.Relevance and novel informationThis is the first report of the MRI findings of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in a cat

Safety of percutaneous ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of adrenal lesions in dogs: Perception of the procedure by radiologists and presentation of 50 cases

Background Percutaneous ultrasound (US)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of adrenal gland lesions is controversial in veterinary medicine. Objective To evaluate the frequency and radiologists' perception of the risk of the procedure as well as determining the incidence of complications. Methods Retrospective study. A first survey was submitted by e-mail to all board-certified radiologists of the American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR) and European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (ECVDI). A second survey was sent to radiologists who declared having performed the procedure at least once in their career (observational cross-sectional case study). Results The first survey was sent to 977 diplomates and answered by 138. Of 138 diplomates, 40 currently performed the procedure and 98 did not; 44 of the 98 gave the hypertensive crisis risk in pheochromocytoma as a reason. To the second survey, 12 of 65 responded positively; 50 dogs with 58 lesions were recruited, including 23 pheochromocytomas. Complications were reported in 4 of 50 dogs; 3 hemorrhages (1 mild and 1 moderate) and 1 death from acute respiratory distress syndrome (possibly related to laryngeal paralysis). No hypertensive crisis was reported. There was no relationship between the method of FNA/type of needle used and occurrence of complications. Based on the recollection of these 65 radiologists, who performed approximately 200 FNA of adrenal lesions, a death rate of approximately 1% was estimated. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Percutaneous US-guided FNA of adrenal lesions can be considered a minimally risky procedure, despite the negative perception by radiologists

Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography perfusion parameters of canine suspected brain tumors at baseline and during radiotherapy might be different depending on tumor location but not associated with survival

IntroductionTreatment of brain tumors in dogs can be associated with significant morbidity and reliable prognostic factors are lacking. Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (DCECT) can be used to assess tumor perfusion. The objectives of this study were to assess perfusion parameters and change in size of suspected brain tumors before and during radiotherapy (RT) depending on their location and find a potential correlation with survival.MethodsSeventeen client-owned dogs with suspected brain tumors were prospectively recruited. All dogs had a baseline DCECT to assess mass size, blood volume (BV), blood flow (BF), and transit time (TT). Twelve dogs had a repeat DCECT after 12 Gy of megavoltage RT. Survival times were calculated.ResultsIntra-axial masses had lower BF (p = 0.005) and BV (p p = 0.001) and BV (p = 0.004) than extra-axial masses. The volume of the mass was positively associated with TT (p = 0.001) but not with BF and BV. Intra-axial masses showed a more marked decrease in size than extra-axial and pituitary masses during RT (p = 0.022 for length, p = 0.05 for height). Extra-axial masses showed a greater decrease in BF (p = 0.011) and BV (p = 0.012) during RT than pituitary masses and intra-axial masses. Heavier dogs had a shorter survival time (p = 0.011). Perfusion parameters were not correlated with survival.ConclusionDCECT perfusion parameters and change in size of brain masses during RT might be different based on the location of the mass

Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography in dogs with nasal tumors

BackgroundTreatment of nasal tumors in dogs is associated with high morbidity and reliable prognostic factors are lacking. Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (DCECT) can be used to assess tumor perfusion.ObjectivesTo assess perfusion parameters of nasal tumors (correlating with tumor type) before and during radiotherapy (RT) and find potential correlation with survival.AnimalsTwenty-four client-owned dogs with nasal tumors, including 16 epithelial tumors and 8 sarcomas.MethodsProspective cross-sectional study. All dogs had baseline DCECT to assess fractional vascular volume (BV), blood flow (BF), and transit time (TT). Thirteen dogs had repeat DCECT after 12 Gy of megavoltage RT. Survival times were calculated.ResultsMedian BV was 17.83 mL/100 g (range, 3.63-66.02), median BF was 122.63 mL/100 g/minute (range, 23.65-279.99), and median TT was 8.91 seconds (range, 4.57-14.23). Sarcomas had a significantly lower BF than adenocarcinomas (P = .002), carcinomas (P = .01), and other carcinomas (P = .001), and significantly lower BV than adenocarcinomas (P = .03) and other carcinomas (P = .004). Significant associations were found between epithelial tumors and sarcoma for change in tumor volume (P = .01), width (P = .004), and length (P = .02) in that epithelial tumors decreased in volume whereas sarcomas increased in volume. Perfusion parameters were not correlated with survival.Conclusions and clinical importanceNasal sarcomas have lower BV and BF than nasal carcinomas, and sarcomas have a lower size reduction than carcinomas early on during RT. Baseline results and changes in perfusion parameters may not be correlated with survival