Color doppler ultrasound imaging of blood flows variations in neoplastic and non-neoplastic testicular lesions in dogs

Testicular tumors are the most common neoplasms in male dogs accounting for approximately 90% of all tumors affecting the genitourinary tract. Gray-scale ultrasonography in combination with color and power Doppler imaging has been well accepted as an accurate technique for assessing scrotal lesions and vascularization of the testis. Color Doppler sensitivity for low blood flows appear promising in the study of testicular disorders. The aim of this study was to assess if Color and power Doppler ultrasound is a good tool for the investigation of testicular lesions in dogs, to report the sonographic features of lesions and to measure color and power Doppler parameters such as Resistive Index (RI), Pulsatility Index (PI), hypovascularization and hypervascularization (VI) determining if they can be used to distinguish testicular neoplasms from the wide spectrum of non-neoplastic pathological findings. In this study 50 male dogs of various breeds, aged between 7 and 14 years, presented with testicular disorders were selected. RI and PI were calculated. Mean RI values for neoplastic, inflammatory and degenerative lesions were 0.54, 0.45 and 0.58, respectively. Mean PI values were 0.62, 0.55 and 0.63, respectively. Hypovascularization and hypervascularization of the lesion were evaluated throughout the Vascularity Index (VI). Vascular signals in neoplasms were significantly intensified around and inside the mass if compared with those measured during inflammatory and degenerative lesions. VI markedly increased in solid tumors. Pathological testes were removed; macroscopical, histological and immunoistochemical evaluations were carried out. Color Doppler showed increased intralesional and peripheral flows in all neoplastic lesions analysed. No flows were detected around cysts. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.