Non-cardiac thoracic ultrasound in 75 feline and canine patients

The purpose of this study was to describe the ultrasonographic appearance o f 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, hist opathologic, and necropsy findings. Clinical diagnoses Included neoplasia o f the mediastinum, pleura, or lungs (43); idiopathic mediastinal cyst (3); diaphragmatic or peritoneopericardial hernia (4); lung lobe torsion (1); pu lmonary eosinophilic infiltrates (1); and idiopathic, chylous, congestive h eart failure, of lymphangiectasia associated pleural effusion (14). In the remaining 9 patients, a definitive diagnosis was not obtained. Ultrasound-g uided fine needle aspirate was performed in 56 patients; 1 of these also ha d, an ultrasound-guided tissue core biopsy. Of the fine needle aspirates, 5 1 (91%) were diagnostic. Ultrasound examination, particularly when accompan ied by guided tissue sampling, can be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of n on-cardiac intrathoracic lesions.