Historical, physical examination, clinicopathologic, radiographic and
ultrasonographic findings of 13 dogs with gastrointestinal (GI) smooth
muscle tumors (11 leiomyosarcomas, 2 leiomyomas) were reviewed. Histo
ry, including signalment and chief complaint, physical examination and
bloodwork were neither sensitive nor specific for GI neoplasia. Imagi
ng procedures, radiology and ultrasonography, detected the presence of
abdominal masses in 12 patients, including 9 animals lacking a palpab
le mass on initial examination. Survey radiographs of 10 of the 13 dog
s revealed a mass effect in 5/10 dogs, evidence of peritoneal effusion
or free abdominal gas in 3/10 dogs, and an obstructive pattern with g
as and fluid distension of the intestinal tract in 1/10 dogs. Ultrason
ography identified an abdominal mass in 12/13 dogs, and peritoneal eff
usion in 5 animals. Ultrasonography correctly recognized an associatio
n of the mass with bowel segments by the presence of intraluminal gas,
within or adjacent to the mass effect, in 10 dogs, and strongly sugge
sted an intestinal origin in one additional animal. GI smooth muscle t
umors often appeared as large masses, eccentrically projecting from th
e bower wall, frequently containing single or multiple hypo/anechoic r
egions. Based on this study we conclude that ultrasonography is more s
ensitive than survey radiography in the detection of GI smooth muscle
tumors, and may present specific features to distinguish smooth muscle
tumors from other types of GI tumors. Ultrasonography is recommended
as a screening procedure for cases where GI neoplasia is suspected.