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Abdominal Imaging in Small Animals: New Insights

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A Special Issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615) belonging to the section "Veterinary Clinical Studies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2026) | Viewed by 8095

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Dr. Agustina Ansón

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Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, USA
Interests: small animal; ultrasound; radiology; CT; MRI; veterinary research

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The abdomen houses numerous essential organ systems, such as the hepatobiliary, pancreatic, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems, which are often impacted by a diverse range of conditions. Imaging plays a crucial role in the diagnostic process, which can be particularly challenging due to the complexity of the anatomy and the diverse pathology that can occur. It is also essential for staging, treatment planning, and monitoring therapeutic response.

Advancements in imaging technologies, including state-of-the-art modalities and sophisticated post-processing techniques, continue to enhance diagnostic accuracy but also demand a high level of expertise from interpreting clinicians. Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence into abdominal imaging is revolutionizing the field, promising new insights and improved prognostication for patients.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the latest developments and innovations in abdominal imaging for small animals. We welcome original research and comprehensive reviews addressing conventional imaging, advanced modalities, cutting-edge post-processing techniques, artificial intelligence applications, and their impact on diagnosis and clinical outcomes.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: articles, reviews, communication, commentary, and case reports.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Agustina Ansón
Guest Editor

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Keywords

radiology
ultrasound
computed tomography
magnetic resonance
dog
cat
gastrointestinal
hepatobiliary
pancreatic
genitourinary
adrenal
artificial intelligence

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1402 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Added Value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound for Cytological Sample Collection of Hepatic and Pulmonary Masses in Dogs

by Manuela Quinci, Nikolina Linta, Pascaline Pey, Marco Baron Toaldo, Andrea Renzi, Francesco Dondi and Alessia Diana

Animals 2026, 16(14), 2195; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16142195 - 15 Jul 2026

Viewed by 419

Abstract

Ultrasound (US)-guided cytological sample collection (CSC) is widely used for the evaluation of hepatic and pulmonary masses in dogs; however, the presence of intralesional necrosis may reduce diagnostic yield. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) allows improved assessment of lesion microvascularization and may help identify viable tissue prior to sampling. The aim of this study is to compare the diagnostic yield of CEUS-aided CSC with conventional B-mode US-guided CSC in dogs with hepatic and pulmonary masses. This prospective controlled study with matched controls included 54 client-owned dogs. Twenty-seven dogs underwent CEUS-aided CSC, while 27 matched control dogs underwent conventional B-mode US-guided CSC. Cytological samples were evaluated for diagnostic adequacy, and logistic regression analysis was used to compare groups. No significant difference was found in the probability of obtaining diagnostically adequate samples between techniques. However, CEUS identified non-enhancing areas consistent with presumed necrosis more frequently and with greater extent compared with B-mode US (p < 0.05). Although CEUS did not significantly increase overall diagnostic adequacy, it improved identification and delineation of necrotic areas, providing procedurally relevant information for more targeted sampling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abdominal Imaging in Small Animals: New Insights)

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11 pages, 2412 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Accuracy of Plain Digital Radiography for the Detection of Gastrointestinal Masses in Dogs and Cats

by Keaton Cortez, Agustina Anson, Leslie Schwarz, Nathan Biedak, Tatiana Noel and Adam South

Animals 2026, 16(2), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16020292 - 17 Jan 2026

Viewed by 1868

Abstract

Abdominal radiography is commonly used as an initial diagnostic tool in dogs and cats with gastrointestinal (GI) signs. Historically, abdominal radiographs were considered unreliable for detecting GI masses, with detection rates below 50%. The purpose of this retrospective, case–control study was to determine the accuracy of abdominal radiographs in identifying the presence and location of GI masses and to assess the influence of the reviewer experience. Radiographs from 114 dogs and 111 cats were reviewed by two board-certified radiologists, one first year radiology resident, and one rotating intern. Patients were categorized into three groups: animals with a GI mass greater than 2 cm (dogs n = 44; cats n = 41), animals with a normal abdomen (both n = 50), and animals with abdominal disease but no GI mass (both n = 20). Reviewers demonstrated high specificity but low sensitivity for both detection and localization of GI masses. Sensitivity for detecting a mass ranged from 34 to 64% in dogs and 36 to 71% in cats; specificity exceeded 87% in dogs and 92% in cats. Sensitivity for location identification ranged from 9 to 58% in dogs and 21 to 68% in cats; specificity exceeded 76% in dogs and 81% in cats. No statistically significant differences in detection rates were found among reviewers. The accuracy of plain digital radiography for the detection of gastrointestinal masses in dogs (75%) and cats (81%) is better than previously reported film radiography but remains inferior to other imaging modalities. However, its high specificity supports its clinical utility in ruling out gastrointestinal masses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abdominal Imaging in Small Animals: New Insights)

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22 pages, 1480 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Virtual Non-Contrast Images Generated by Spectral Detector Computed Tomography and Conventional Computed Tomography Images of Histologically Confirmed Hepatic Pathologies in 28 Dogs

by Lydia K. Claußen, Alkje M. van Gemmeren, Philipp Lietz, Sebastian Meller, Adriano Wang-Leandro, Andreas Beineke, Verena Nerschbach, Holger A. Volk and Kristina Merhof

Animals 2025, 15(23), 3366; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15233366 - 21 Nov 2025

Viewed by 1054

Abstract

Spectral detector computed tomography (SDCT) is an innovative imaging technique in veterinary medicine that utilises simultaneous data acquisition at different energy levels using two rows of detectors. This technique provides several interesting applications which improve insights into tissue composition. One implementation is the generation of virtual non-contrast (VNC) images from post-contrast spectral CT data by identifying and subtracting iodine pixels. Preliminary studies suggest that VNC images may offer diagnostic quality comparable to true unenhanced (TUE) images in healthy dogs; however, this technique has yet to be evaluated in clinical patients. This study compared the Hounsfield units (HUs) measured in VNC to those in TUE images of canine hepatic pathologies, taking into account specific types of pathologies based on their imaging characteristics. The attenuation values of the VNC and TUE series were analysed using two one-sided t-tests (TOST), and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was calculated for each region of interest (ROI). A 5-point Likert scale was utilised to assess image noise, quality, and iodine subtraction in the VNC images. A total of 287 ROIs were analysed in the liver, gallbladder, paravertebral muscle, and pancreatic body of 28 dogs with histopathologically confirmed hepatic pathologies. 92.61% of the hepatic ROIs displayed a “negligible” difference of ≤10 HUs between VNC and TUE images, with significant p-values of <0.05 maintained for all ROIs within the limit of ≤10 HUs in the TOST, confirming equivalence between the two imaging modalities. The image quality assessment indicated that SDCT-derived images provided equal or superior quality compared to conventional CT. Therefore, it can be concluded that VNC images calculated from SDCT data could be an alternative to conventional TUE images for hepatic pathologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abdominal Imaging in Small Animals: New Insights)

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13 pages, 1351 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Measurements and Visibility of the Pancreatic Ducts on Computed Tomography in 78 Cats Without Clinical Evidence of Pancreatitis

by Abby Caine, Man-Hei Ma, Mike Herrtage, Tim Sparks and Marie Aude Genain

Animals 2025, 15(19), 2857; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15192857 - 30 Sep 2025

Viewed by 2295

Abstract

Imaging is commonly used to help diagnose pancreatic disease in cats. In order to establish normal computed tomography (CT) measurements for the pancreatic ducts in cats, images of 78 cats without clinical evidence of pancreatic disease, and with normal DGGR (1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycero-3-glutaric acid-(6′-methylresorufin) ester lipase values, were evaluated retrospectively by two reviewers. The left pancreatic duct measured 1.4 ± 0.8 mm (mean ± standard deviation), the right pancreatic duct measured 1.1 ± 0.5 mm, and the common duct measured 1.6 ± 0.8 mm. All ducts were better visualised post-contrast, with the left pancreatic duct identified most frequently (not visualised on post-contrast images in only 3% of cases). There was visibility of the right and common hepatic ducts less frequently, not observed post-contrast in 22 and 20% of cases, respectively. The duodenal papilla measured 2.8 ± 0.7 mm in diameter. It had an HU of 43 ± 14 pre-contrast and 109 ± 32 post-contrast. It was identified in all but 6% of cases on post-contrast images. This study shows that the pancreatic ducts and duodenal papilla can be seen on post-contrast images and provides normal ranges of size for the pancreatic duct and duodenal papilla. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abdominal Imaging in Small Animals: New Insights)

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12 pages, 1412 KB

Open AccessCase Report

Multicentric Round Cell Neoplasia with Plasmacytic Differentiation in a Cat with Systemic Progression: Multimodal Imaging and Treatment Response

by Jaewon Kim, Inseong Jeong, Chul Park, Younghwan Kim, Kidong Eom and Jaehwan Kim

Animals 2026, 16(7), 1089; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16071089 - 2 Apr 2026

Viewed by 1618

Abstract

Plasma cell neoplasia is uncommon in cats, and multicentric nodal-predominant involvement has not been well characterized. This report describes a multicentric round cell neoplasia with plasmacytic differentiation in a 14-year-old Domestic Shorthair cat, emphasizing multimodal imaging features and treatment response. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed for staging and longitudinal assessment. Cytomorphology supported plasmacytic differentiation, and flow cytometry did not demonstrate an immunophenotype consistent with conventional B- or T-cell lymphoma. Because histopathology, immunohistochemistry, bone marrow evaluation, and assessment for monoclonal gammopathy were not performed, definitive classification was not possible; however, cytomorphology supported plasmacytic differentiation, with plasma cell neoplasia remaining an important diagnostic consideration. A hypofractionated radiotherapy protocol (36 Gy in six fractions) combined with systemic chemotherapy was administered. Serial imaging demonstrated complete radiologic resolution of the irradiated mass, whereas non-irradiated presumed nodal lesions progressed and an extradural spinal lesion subsequently developed. These findings highlight the capacity of round cell neoplasia with plasmacytic differentiation to mimic lymphoma on imaging and illustrate the dissociation between effective local control and ongoing systemic progression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abdominal Imaging in Small Animals: New Insights)

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