Ultrasonography methods for predicting malignancy in canine mammary tumors

Author(s)

Rossi Feliciano, Marcus Antonio ; Ramirez Uscategui, Ricardo Andres ; Maronezi, Marjury Cristina ; Rodrigues Simoes, Ana Paula ; Silva, Priscila ; Gasser, Beatriz ; Pavan, Leticia ; Carvalho, Cibele Figueira ; Canola, Julio Carlos ; Russiano Vicente, Wilter Ricardo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 12, n. 5 MAY 22 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 8

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of B-mode, Doppler, contrast- enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) elastography in predicting malignancy in canine mammary masses. This was a prospective cohort study from 2014 to 2016, which included 153 bitches with one or more mammary masses. A total of 300 masses were evaluated by ultrasonography (B-mode, Doppler, CEUS, and ARFI) and subsequently classified as benign or malignant by histopathology. Each ultrasound parameters studied were compared between benign and malignant masses by Chi-square or Student tests and differences were considered significant when P < 0.01. For the variables that proved significant differences were estimated the cut-off point, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under curve (AUC) by receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis in a logistic regression model using histopathological classification as reference, to assess and compare diagnostic performance of each technique. Out of 300 mammary masses evaluated 246 were classified as malignant and 54 as benign. B-mode measurements showed sensitivity 67.9%, and specificity 67.6% as malignancy predictors on canine mammary masses; Doppler indexes systolic (> 21.2 m/s) and diastolic velocity (> 4.8 m/s) sensitivity 79.2% and specificity 70.8%; CEUS wash-out time (< 80.5 s) sensitivity 80.2% and specificity 16.7%; and ARFI elastography shear velocity (SWV > 2.57 m/s) sensitivity 94.7% and specificity 97.2% In conclusion B-mode and Doppler ultrasound evaluations may assist in malignancy prediction of canine mammary masses with moderate sensitivity and specificity, already the SWV was an great accurate predictor. Therefore, ARFI elastography exam inclusion in veterinary clinic oncology and research is highly recommended, since it allows fast, non-invasive, and complication-free malignancy prediction of canine mammary masses. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/16635-2 - Elastography, contrast enhanced ultrasonography and Doppler as diagnostic of method of the mammary neoplasm, prostatic and testicular diseases in canines
• Grantee: Marcus Antônio Rossi Feliciano
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/15117-3 - Fetal pulmonary ultrasounds as a predictive method for the maturity of canine fetuses in the final gestation phase of pregnancy
• Grantee: Ana Paula Rodrigues Simões
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 13/06443-1 - Elastography, contrast enhanced ultrasonography and Doppler as diagnostic of method of the mammary neoplasm, prostatic and testicular diseases in canines
• Grantee: Marcus Antônio Rossi Feliciano
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers