Characterization of uterine involution using B-mode ultrasonography, color Doppler and elastography (acoustic radiation force impulse) for assessing postpartum in Santa Inês ewes.

The aim of this study was to investigate uterine involution using ultrasonography techniques during postpartum. Postpartum ultrasonography evaluation (B-mode, color Doppler and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse elastography) of the uterus was performed by transabdominal approach at immediate after birth and sequentially every 48 hours, during 30 days. The uterine echotexture did not present significant variations (P >0.05) being homogeneous in most evaluations; echogenicity of the uterus increased along the evaluation period (P =0.0452). Progressive and remarkable decrease of the total uterine diameter (UD) were observed (P <0.0001), especially during the first days postpartum. The thickness of uterine wall gradually decreased, as well the endometrial, myometrium and lumen diameters (P <0.0001). Uterine blood flow was assessed by Doppler and decreased during postpartum period, being significantly lower (P=0.0225) on the 30th day of postpartum. Uterine parenchyma presented as homogeneous dark areas (not deformable) on qualitative ultrasound elastography and the means shear velocity values of the uterine wall on quantitative elastography did not differ. This is the first study that evaluate the stiffness of uterine wall in healthy ewes, providing baseline data about quantitative and qualitative stiffness of the normal uterus, and it may be a useful tool for early diagnosis of uterine alterations during the postpartum period, using the reference parameter established for the assessment of uterine integrity during postpartum period.

Quantitative ultrasound elastography and biometry of the bitch uterus in the early puerperium after vaginal delivery and caesarean section.

Elastography is an actual imaging method used to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the elastic properties of tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare uterine tissue biometry and stiffness during post-partum period in brachycephalic bitches (n = 12) after c-section (GCS; n = 8) or normal delivery (GNB; n = 4). These animals were evaluated daily by abdominal ultrasound from the day of delivery until the 10th day post-partum; measuring uterine diameter, myometrial and endometrial thickness (mm) and shear wave velocity (SWV; m/s), by B-mode and ARFI (acoustic radiation force impulse) elastography, respectively. Uterine diameter was higher (p = .012) in animals submitted to c-section (15.26 ± 4.73 mm) than in normal birth (12.53 ± 2.64 mm) during the first 7 days post-partum. Uterine thickness gradually involuted in both groups (p < .0001), the myometrium during the first 9 days (p = .005) and the endometrium during the first 6 days (p = .003). The myometrial and endometrial SWVs were similar between types of delivery (p = .7846 and .8273) and presented a gradual increase (p = .411; .0043, respectively), during the first 10 days post-partum. It was concluded that bitches with normal delivery had smaller uterine thickness and faster puerperal involution than submitted to c-section, while uterine tissue stiffness was similar between delivery types and increased gradually during post-partum.

Accuracy of four ultrasonography techniques in predicting histopathological classification of canine mammary carcinomas.

Due to the importance of presurgical, noninvasive, and accurate diagnostic tools in mammary carcinoma characterization, this prospective secondary observational cohort study was designed to evaluate and compare the diagnostic accuracy of B-mode, Doppler, contrast enhancement ultrasonography, or acoustic radiation force impulse-elastography in identifying mammary carcinomas types with high degree of malignancy. A total of 246 mammary carcinomas from 141 female dogs were analyzed using B-mode, Doppler, contrast enhancement ultrasonography, and acoustic radiation force impulse ultrasonography prior to their histopathological classification according to types (simple, complex, or special) and grade (I, II, or III). Qualitative and quantitative variables were compared between carcinoma types and grades by Fisher's or analysis of variance. Diagnostic performance was estimated by receiver-operating characteristic analysis, using histopathological classification as a reference. Deformability (acoustic radiation force impulse) had a diagnostic specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 12% in identifying special carcinomas. A width:length ratio greater than 0.53 can be suggestive of special carcinoma, with 80% sensitivity and 76% specificity. Contrast wash-in and peak enhancement times lower than 7.5 and 13.5 s, respectively, were indicative of complex carcinoma at 62% sensitivity and 60% specificity. Contrast wash-in, peak enhancement, and wash-out times greater than 6.5, 12.5, and 64.5 s, respectively; were indicative of grade II and III carcinoma at 68% sensitivity and 62% specificity. In conclusion, B-mode ultrasonography, contrast enhancement ultrasonography, and acoustic radiation force impulse-elastography enabled the identification of some of the characteristics of high-grade mammary carcinoma types and grades in female dogs with limited accuracy. The findings from this study may contribute to oncology research and clinical management canine patients.

Estudo retrospectivo de mielografias em cães, realizadas no período de 2008 a 2012, no setor de diagnóstico por imagem, do hospital veterinário “Governador Laudo Natel” / Retrospective study of the myelography in dogs, the period 2008 2012, in imaging diagnostic sector of veterinary hospital \"Governador Laudo Natel\"

A mielografia é uma técnica radiográfica contrastada para avaliar afecções medulares. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar as lesões compressivas que envolvem a medula espinhal e seus diferentes achados e frequências à mielografia. Neste estudo foram reavaliados 154 casos de cães com suspeita clínica neurológica envolvendo a medula espinhal, os quais foram submetidos a exames radiográficos convencionais e à mielografia com composto iodado não iônico, no período de 2008 a 2012. Os exames imaginológicos foram realizados no Setor Diagnóstico por Imagem do Hospital Veterinário “Governador Laudo Natel” da Faculdade de Ciências Agrária e Veterinária de Jaboticabal - Unesp. Entre as diferentes raças de cães, a Teckel foi mais acometida com a apresentação de 58 pacientes (38%). A faixa etária de maior ocorrência foi de cinco a oito anos, totalizando 67 cães (43,5%). A coluna cervical foi o segmento de maior ocorrência das lesões encontradas com 88 lesões (44%). A localização mais frequente das lesões foi extradural, correspondente a 191 lesões do total analisado (95,5%) e nove lesões foram intradurais-extramedulares (4,5%). Das lesões extradurais, 175 (91,6%) foram de origem degenerativa do disco intervertebral, protrusão/extrusão. A mielografia permite, na maioria dos casos chegar ao diagnóstico definitivo nos pacientes com lesões medulares compressivas

A myelography is contrasted radiographic technics used in the diagnostic of medullary diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the compression lesions involving the spinal cord and its findings and different frequencies to myelography. In this study were reassessed 154 cases of dogs with neurological clinical suspicion surrounding the spinal cord, which underwent conventional radiographs and myelography with nonionic iodinated compound, in the since 2008 antil to 2012. The imaging studies were developed in Sector Diagnostic Imaging Veterinary Hospital "Governador Laudo Natel" of the Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias in Jaboticabal - Unesp. Among the different breeds of dogs, the Teckel were the most affected with the 58 patients (38%). The group that have more number of dogs, total 67 (43.5%), was 5-8 years. The cervical column was the most frequent segment of the lesions found in 88 lesions (44%). The most common location of lesions was extradural corresponding to lesions of the total analyzed 191 (95.5%) and nine lesions were intradural extramedullary (4.5%). Extradural lesions of 175 (91.6%) were degenerative intervertebral disc protrusion/extrusion. The myelography, in most cases lead to a definitive diagnosis in patients with spinal compression injury.