Aplicabilidade da ultrassonografia na predição de malignidade em neoplasmas cutâneos de caninos

Abstract

The aim of this study is to verify the applicability of ultrasonography in the prediction of malignancy in cutaneous neoplasms of dogs, through the correlation between ultrasonographic characteristics and results obtained by cytopathological and / or histopathological exams. Twenty-four dogs, of different breeds and ages, were selected from the HUVet - UNIPAMPA routine, from January 2015 to October 2018. To perform the ultrasound examination in mode B, a linear transducer was used with frequency between 7.0 and 12.0 MHz, varying according to the tumor dimensions. Characteristics of echogenicity, echotexture, texture patterns, regularity, presence of hyperechogenic structure surrounding the neoplasm, invasiveness in adjacent tissues and measurement of tumor dimensions (depth and width) were evaluated. In addition, color Doppler was used to evaluate intratumoral vascularization. Subsequently, samples were collected for cytopathology through fine needle punctures and, when recommended, excisional biopsies for histopathology. In total, 42 neoplasms (ten specific tumor types) were included, with a higher prevalence of mesenchymal and round cells origins (42.85% each). A concordance test was performed between cytopathological and histopathological results in all cases, in which both tests were performed, in agreement with 100% of the neoplasms. Ultrasound characteristics were associated with tumor malignancy, obtaining significant values between the hypoechogenicity, heterogeneity and invasiveness of the masses in adjacent tissues with malignancy. Of the heterogeneous neoplasms, there was a correlation between gross texture, presence of hyperechogenic foci forming acoustic shadow and presence of cavity areas with malignancy. Also, it was observed a relation between regularity and presence of capsule with invasiveness in adjacent tissues. Through this study, it was possible to establish the applicability of ultrasonography in the prediction of malignancy in cutaneous neoplasms of dogs through echogenicity, echotexture and invasiveness patterns in adjacent tissues.