NON-CARDIAC THORACIC ULTRASOUND IN 75 FELINE AND CANINE PATIENTS

The purpose of this study was to describe the ultrasonographic appearance of non‐cardiac diseases of the small animal thorax. Ultrasound images from a total of 75 animals (26 cats and 49 dogs) were compared to cytologic, histopathologic, and necropsy findings. Clinical diagnoses included neoplasia of the mediastinum, pleura, or lungs (43); idiopathic mediastinal cyst (3); diaphragmatic or peritoneopericardial hernia (4); lung lobe torsion (1); pulmonary eosinophilic infiltrates (1); and idiopathic, chylous, congestive heart failure, or lymphangiectasia associated pleural effusion (14). In the remaining 9 patients, a definitive diagnosis was not obtained. Ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspirate was performed in 56 patients; 1 of these also had an ultrasound‐guided tissue core biopsy. Of the fine needle aspirates, 51 (91%) were diagnostic. Ultrasound examination, particularly when accompanied by guided tissue sampling, can be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of non–cardiac intrathoracic lesions.