Two-dimensional, gray-scale ultrasonography for assessment of hepatic and splenic neoplasia in the dog and cat.

An analysis was made of 17 cases of microscopically proven hepatic and splenic neoplasms, with the objective of describing the ultrasonographic findings and determining how interpretation of these findings contributed to the diagnosis and prognosis of these cases. The ultrasonographic appearance of these tumors ranged from focal, large (6 to 20 cm diameter) mixed hyperechoic/hypoechoic masses to multifocal (0.5 to 2.0 cm diameter) hypoechoic masses. The ultrasonographic appearance was not specific for the microscopic cell-type of the neoplasm. When the combined clinical, hematologic, serum chemical, and ultrasonographic findings were interpreted, neoplasia was always the primary consideration, but microscopic confirmation was mandatory. The uses of ultrasonography in these cases were: (1) to characterize the internal architecture of a mass identified radiographically, (2) to confirm the organ of origin of the mass, (3) to define the extent of disease in or around an affected organ, (4) to evaluate palpable abdominal mass(es) in the presence of poor abdominal radiographic contrast, and (5) to identify previously undetected or unsuspected metastases. Three interpretive errors were found, but only one would have influenced the prognosis for that specific patient.