Simone Domit Guérios

Ultrasonography of small intestinal obstructions: a contemporary approach.

OBJECTIVES To assess the accuracy of intestinal ultrasound for diagnosis of intestinal obstruction in dogs and cats. METHODS A prospective clinical study was performed. Inclusion criteria were dogs and cats with clinical signs suggestive of gastrointestinal obstruction. Animals with no obstruction detected on ultrasound were excluded if they could not be monitored for 48 hours to confirm absence of obstruction. Sonographic diagnosis of small intestinal obstruction was based on identification of at least two findings suggestive of intestinal obstruction. RESULTS Ninety-two patients suspected of having intestinal obstruction were included. Correct diagnosis of intestinal obstruction was made in 21 cases (23%), and in 68 (74%) this diagnosis was excluded. Interpretation of the images on prospective analysis had sensitivity, positive predictive, specificity and negative predictive values of 100%, 87.5%, 95.8% and 100%, respectively. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Ultrasonography is an excellent method for investigation of animals with gastrointestinal disorders, and is particularly useful for excluding obstructive processes.

Ultrassonografia abdominal pré-operatória em cães e gatos com suspeita de tumores abdominais

The aim of this study was evaluate efficacy of the ultrassonographic exam in the defining the location of the abdominal neoplasm and to estimate the accuracy of the method in screening the malignant neoplasm process. In 24 patients of 113 animals evaluated by the ultrassonographic exam it was observed a mass and/or a intermingled nodule in different organs in the abdominal cave, classified as type I, II, II(+) e III. It was compared the sonographic findings with surgical and histopathological analysis. The determination of the mass origin was correct in 20 (83%) animals and the percentage accuracy of malignant ultrasound determination was 91.67%. So, it is believed that the ultrasound is interesting to determine the malignancy in advanced cases, especially in those patients who have aggressive lesions.

Proteínas de fase aguda em cadelas com neoplasia mamária

Acute phase proteins (APPs) are serum proteins whose concentrations change after infectious and inflammatory disease, and cancer. The aims of this study were to evaluate changes in APPs concentration and to correlate these findings with histological classification and WBC in female dogs with mammary tumors. APPs were studied in 45 female dogs with mammary tumor distributed in the following groups: benign (n=13), malignant without tumor ulceration (n=24), and malignant with tumor ulceration (n=8). SDS-polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAGE) electrophoresis was used to measure APPs concentrations (albumin, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, haptoglobinHp, α-1-acid glycoprotein and α-1-antitrypsin) and ultrasensitive assay was used to evaluate serum C-reactive protein (CRP). Patients with malignant mammary neoplasia plus ulceration had significant increase of CRP and Hp, and had decreased levels of albumin (P<0.05, One-Way ANOVA and Dunn Test). Positive correlation among APPs and inflammatory leukocytosis were observed (P=0.002, Fisher test). No correlation was observed between APPs and histological subtype. In conclusion, combined changes of CRP, Hp and albumin may be used as a prediagnostic tool and prognosis in dogs with mammary tumors.

Adrenocortical tumor in a cat secreting more than one type of corticosteroid

Case summary A 14-year-old, spayed female domestic shorthair cat was evaluated because of a right adrenal mass. The referring veterinarian had started treatment for hypokalemia and systemic arterial hypertension. During the initial evaluation the cat was alert and responsive, and serum potassium concentration was within the reference range. Serum concentrations of aldosterone and progesterone were increased. Atrophy of the contralateral adrenal and an exaggerated response of cortisol to stimulation with adrenocorticotropic hormone suggested hypersecretion of cortisol. Unilateral adrenalectomy was performed and recovery was uneventful. Histologic examination of the mass revealed an adrenocortical tumor. After surgery, clinical signs of hypercortisolism, hyperaldosteronism and hyperprogesteronism were no longer observed, and neither potassium supplementation nor antihypertensive treatment were needed. Relevance and novel information In cases with an adrenocortical tumor, clinicians should investigate whether the tumor hypersecretes glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, sex steroids or combinations of these. Hypersecretion of more than one adrenal hormone may occur in a cat with an adrenocortical tumor.

Ultrasonographic examination in non-human primates with acute abdomen signs

The acute abdomen is any abdominal disorder resulting in pain, shock, or sepsis. Although it has a multifactorial etiology, the primary cause is gastrointestinal tract pathology. The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of abdominal ultrasound as a complementary diagnostic tool in non‐human primates with an acute abdomen.

Single‐aliquot, non‐bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of metastatic mammary tumours in dogs

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the use of bronchoalveolar lavage as an auxiliary tool for the diagnosis of neoplastic lung metastasis from mammary tumours in dogs. METHODS A single-institution prospective observational study including 20 healthy dogs and 30 with mammary tumours. Thoracic radiography and single-aliquot, non-bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage with cytology interpretation was performed in all animals and the results compared between groups. RESULTS Dogs with mammary gland tumours and radiographic evidence of pulmonary metastasis had significantly higher relative neutrophil counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid than dogs with tumours without evidence of metastasis. In only one dog, in which thoracic radiographs were normal, were malignant cells identified in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Inflammatory bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in dogs with mammary gland tumours may suggest metastatic disease. Bronchoalveolar lavage does not appear to be sensitive for identifying malignant cells.

Teste rápido para detecção da Proteína C-Reativa (FASTest® CRP canino) como auxílio diagnóstico de piometra em cadelas

A piometra e uma enfermidade comum em cadelas, caracterizada pela inflamacao do utero com acumulo de exsudato purulento. A avaliacao ultrassonografica abdominal e um dos principais exames utilizados para o diagnostico da doenca e o tratamento de eleicao e a ovario-histerectomia (OSH). A proteina C reativa (PCR) e uma proteina de fase aguda que apresenta concentracao serica aumentada na ocorrencia de processos inflamatorios. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficacia do teste rapido para deteccao da PCR serica (FASTest® CRP canino), como auxiliar no diagnostico de piometra em cadelas com suspeita da doenca ao exame ultrassonografico. Das 25 cadelas com imagem ultrassonografica sugestiva de piometra incluidas no estudo, apenas 12 (48,0%) tiveram o diagnostico confirmado por exame histopatologico uterino realizado apos a OSH. Em todas as pacientes com o diagnostico de piometra confirmado pelo exame histologico a PCR foi positiva. O FASTest® CRP apresentou valor preditivo positivo de 92,3%, valor preditivo negativo e sensibilidade de 100,0% e 92,3% de especificidade. Logo, a acuracia do FASTest® CRP canino para diagnostico de piometra em cadelas com suspeita ao exame ultrassonografico foi de 96,0%. Conclui-se que o teste rapido para deteccao da PCR serica pode ser utilizado como exame auxiliar para o diagnostico de piometra em cadelas.