Case Study

Lymphoma in a 6 year old FS Shepherd mix dog

A 6-year-old FS shepherd mixed dog was presented for evaluation of vomiting, anorexia, loose stool, and polydipsia that had shown some response to Cerenia, Simplicef, and Denosyl therapy. Abnormalities on CBC and serum biochemistry were hemoconcentration, leukocytosis, and elevated ALT and elevated ALP activity.

A 6-year-old FS shepherd mixed dog was presented for evaluation of vomiting, anorexia, loose stool, and polydipsia that had shown some response to Cerenia, Simplicef, and Denosyl therapy. Abnormalities on CBC and serum biochemistry were hemoconcentration, leukocytosis, and elevated ALT and elevated ALP activity.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Periportal lymphadenopathy and multiple hepatic target lesions; less likely abscessation, nodular hyperplasia. Sublumbar mesenteric root lymphadenopathy.

Image Interpretation

The liver in this patient presented multiple, hypoechoic target type lesions with loss of structural detail throughout the liver. Periportal lymphadenopathy was also noted with reactive appearing, pericapsular fat. The gallbladder was mildly edematous. The common bile duct was normal. Mesenteric root lymph nodes were dramatically hypoechoic and irregular with reactive capsular changes. Sublumbar lymph node was hypoechoic and irregular. It measured 2.0 cm in width.

DX

Lymphoma

Outcome

No further outcome.

Comments

The process appears largely aggressive given the amount of reactive surrounding fat. Guarded prognosis.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

Liver pathology -infectious hepatitis (bacterial/fungal), toxic, neoplasia, chronic-active hepatitis, granulomas, abscessation; Gall bladder pathology- cholecystitis, mucocele, neoplasia Pancreatic pathology -pancreatitis, neoplasia