Special Issue "Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in Small and Large Animals"

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Clinical Studies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2021.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Marco Quartuccio
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Unit of Physiopathology and Clinic of Reproduction, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Messina University, 98168 Messina, Italy
Interests: veterinary medicine; ultrasonography; contrast-enhanced ultrasound; reproduction
Prof. Massimo De Majo
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Unit of Internal Medicine, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Messina University, 98168 Messina, Italy
Interests: veterinary Medicine; ultrasonography; contrast-enhanced ultrasound; internal medicine
Prof. Santo Cristarella
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Unit of Physiopathology and Clinic of Reproduction, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Messina University, 98168 Messina, Italy
Interests: veterinary medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is focused on “Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in small and large animals” and therefore welcomes novel research or insightful reviews on this ultrasound technique. Conventional grayscale ultrasonography is a common imaging technique used in veterinary medicine; however, there are situations in which complex diagnosis requires the use of more sophisticated examination methods such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). From the beginning of the millennium, CEUS applications have been reported not only for pathological diagnosis, but also for the attainment of anatomical and physiological information through evaluation of vascularization of organs or lesions. The technique allows the real-time evaluation and quantification of microcirculation, without impairment due to slow flow and angle dependency of Doppler investigation. However, despite some research papers regarding the use of CEUS in different organs in small as well as equine animals, veterinary literature is scarce and based on a low number of cases and type of diseases observed. This last limitation has impaired the obtainment of distinctive contrast perfusion patterns for the different type of lesions. Preliminary results of CEUS evaluation, if not univocal or certainly as substitute for hystological or cytological exams, might be useful as a direct guide for sampling procedures or as an alternative diagnostic tool, when sampling is difficult. We welcome submissions of original research or review papers focused on different aspects of the CEUS application in veterinary clinical settings in small and large animals as well as on new investigations or insights into organs or injuries not fully clarified.

Prof. Marco Quartuccio
Prof. Massimo De Majo
Prof. Santo Cristarella
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • image enhancement
  • ultrasonography
  • contrast media
  • microbubbles
  • vascular perfusion
  • small animals
  • large animals

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

Article
Bidimensional and Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography of the Spleen in Dogs Affected by Leishmaniosis
Animals 2021, 11(5), 1437; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051437 - 17 May 2021
Viewed by 479
Abstract
Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is responsible for splenic pathological changes. The main features detectable from ultrasound examination are splenomegaly and diffuse alterations of the echostructure. The study aimed to highlight whether these ultrasound changes are related to the severity of the disease or to [...] Read more.
Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is responsible for splenic pathological changes. The main features detectable from ultrasound examination are splenomegaly and diffuse alterations of the echostructure. The study aimed to highlight whether these ultrasound changes are related to the severity of the disease or to a modification of splenic microvascularization that can be detected in vivo through contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). Twenty-five adult dogs tested for CanL were enrolled in this prospective, controlled study and staged according to LeishVet guidelines. Bidimensional ultrasonography revealed that splenomegaly was seen in 50% of the affected dogs, and diffuse parenchymal changes were seen in more than 60% of dogs with splenomegaly, showing a positive correlation with severity of the disease; therefore, splenomegaly could be of prognostic significance. CEUS showed that a persistent heterogeneous distribution pattern appeared only in spleens with diffuse echostructure alterations. The evaluation of quantitative CEUS parameters regarding the volume and velocity of flow in three regions of interest did not show differences between affected and control dogs. Diffuse spleen microvascular modifications evidenced by CEUS were reported for the first time in dogs with CanL. In endemic areas, CanL could be included in the differential diagnoses list when detecting splenic alterations in dogs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in Small and Large Animals)
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Article
B-Mode and Contrast Enhanced Ultrasonography Features of Gastric Inflammatory and Neoplastic Diseases in Dogs
Animals 2021, 11(3), 670; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030670 - 03 Mar 2021
Viewed by 599
Abstract
Canine gastric disorders are common in veterinary clinical practice and among these neoplasms require rapid identification and characterization. Standard ultrasound (US) is the imaging modality of choice for gastric wall assessment. The aim of this prospective study is to describe the specific B-mode [...] Read more.
Canine gastric disorders are common in veterinary clinical practice and among these neoplasms require rapid identification and characterization. Standard ultrasound (US) is the imaging modality of choice for gastric wall assessment. The aim of this prospective study is to describe the specific B-mode and contrast enhanced US (CEUS) features of normal, inflammatory, and neoplastic gastric wall in dogs. B-mode US and CEUS of the stomach were performed in anesthetized dogs with or without gastric disorders. Gastric wall qualitative and quantitative parameters were evaluated on B-mode US and CEUS examination. A total of 41 dogs were included: 6 healthy (HEA) as the control group; 9 gastritis (INF); 8 adenocarcinoma (AC); 8 alimentary lymphoma (AL); 4 leiomyosarcoma (LEIS); 2 gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST); 2 leiomyoma; 1 undifferentiated sarcoma; 1 metastatic gastric hemangiosarcoma. Gastric tumors appear as a marked wall thickness with absent layers definition and possible regional lymphadenopathy (AC and AL) and steatitis (AC) while gastritis generally shows no/mild thickening and no other alterations on B-mode US. On CEUS, neoplasm shows a higher and faster wash in if compared to that of gastritis. B-mode and CEUS assessment may be useful in the evaluation of canine gastric disorders in the distinction between gastritis and gastric neoplasms, even if there are no specific features able to discriminate between the different tumor histotypes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in Small and Large Animals)
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Article
Use of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography for the Characterization of Tumor Thrombi in Seven Dogs
Animals 2020, 10(9), 1613; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10091613 - 10 Sep 2020
Viewed by 768
Abstract
Tumors of adrenal and thyroid glands have been associated with vascular invasions—so-called tumor thrombi, both in humans and dogs. The detection and characterization of venous thrombi is an important diagnostic step in patients with primary tumors for both surgical planning and prognosis. The [...] Read more.
Tumors of adrenal and thyroid glands have been associated with vascular invasions—so-called tumor thrombi, both in humans and dogs. The detection and characterization of venous thrombi is an important diagnostic step in patients with primary tumors for both surgical planning and prognosis. The aim of this study was to describe the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for the characterization of tumor thrombi. Dogs with tumor thrombus who underwent bi-dimensional ultrasound (B-mode US) and CEUS were included. Seven dogs were enrolled in this retrospective case series. On B-mode US, all thrombi were visualized, and vascular distension and thrombus-tumor continuity were seen in three and two cases, respectively. On color Doppler examination, all thrombi were identified, seemed non-occlusive and only two presented vascularity. On CEUS, arterial-phase enhancement and washout in the venous phase were observed in all cases. Non-enhancing areas were identified in the tumor thrombi most likely representing non-vascularized tissue that could potentially be embolized in the lungs after fragmentation of the tumor thrombi. On the basis of these preliminary study, CEUS appeared to be useful for the characterization of malignant intravascular invasion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in Small and Large Animals)
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Article
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia–Pyometra Complex in the Bitch: A Preliminary Study
Animals 2020, 10(8), 1368; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10081368 - 07 Aug 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1215
Abstract
In cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH)–pyometra syndrome, toxic factors and endometrial remodeling culminate in changes characterized by exudative and degenerative inflammatory reaction. Recent studies on hemodynamic found an increased blood flow and lower vascular resistance in uterine arteries, suggesting color Doppler ultrasound as an [...] Read more.
In cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH)–pyometra syndrome, toxic factors and endometrial remodeling culminate in changes characterized by exudative and degenerative inflammatory reaction. Recent studies on hemodynamic found an increased blood flow and lower vascular resistance in uterine arteries, suggesting color Doppler ultrasound as an adjunctive tool for quantitative assessment of endometrial vascularization during pyometra. The aim of this study was to assess, through contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) exam, the vascularization in endometrial microvessels in CEH-pyometra in order to evaluate the possibility of application in this syndrome. In twelve female dogs with clinical symptoms related to pyometra, B-mode, color Doppler and CEUS exams were performed. In CEH-pyometra uteri, histopathological examination revealed severe CEH and pyometra, immunohistochemical stain with CD 34 confirmed the presence of angiogenesis. CEUS exams revealed a widespread, intense and rapidly developing homogeneous enhancement of the hyperplastic endometrium, with absence of signal only in cystic areas. All parameters of the quantitative analysis were not significantly influenced by region of interest dimension and position. CEUS has the potential to improve clinical not invasive evaluations in the CEH-pyometra syndrome and virtually in CEH-mucometra. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in Small and Large Animals)
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