B-mode and Doppler ultrasound imaging of the spleen with canine splenic torsion: a retrospective evaluation

Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 1998 Jul-Aug;39(4):349-53. doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.1998.tb01619.x.

Abstract

The ultrasonographic appearance of splenic torsion has been described; the splenic parenchyma can be normal, hypoechoic or anechoic with interspersed linear echoes (coarse/"lacy" appearance). The ultrasonographic parenchymal appearance of 15 dogs in this report with splenic torsion varied: mottled hypoechoic regions (n=2), diffusely hypoechoic (n=11) and normal (n=2). Because splenic torsion causes vascular congestion due to splenic vein compression and eventual thrombosis, visible splenic vein intraluminal echogenicities compatible with thrombi were seen in 13 dogs using B-mode. Using spectral Doppler and color Doppler imaging of the splenic veins, no measurable flow velocities were detected in any of the 15 dogs. The varied B-mode ultrasonographic appearance of the splenic parenchyma with splenic torsion necessitates B-mode evaluation of the splenic veins for intraluminal echoes and spectral or color Doppler evaluation for absent velocity flow.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Flow Velocity / veterinary
  • Constriction, Pathologic / diagnostic imaging
  • Constriction, Pathologic / veterinary
  • Dog Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Male
  • Peripheral Vascular Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Peripheral Vascular Diseases / veterinary
  • Spleen / diagnostic imaging*
  • Splenic Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Splenic Diseases / veterinary*
  • Splenic Vein / diagnostic imaging
  • Splenomegaly / diagnostic imaging
  • Splenomegaly / veterinary
  • Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Thrombosis / veterinary
  • Torsion Abnormality / diagnostic imaging
  • Torsion Abnormality / veterinary
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler / veterinary*
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / veterinary