B-MODE AND COLOR DOPPLER ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF MAMMARY TUMORS AND LOCOREGIONAL LYMPH NODES FOR CLINICAL STAGING OF MAMMARY NEOPLASMS IN BITCHES

Resumo

Mammary neoplasms in bitches are highly prevalent, present elevated malignancy rates, and require accurate clinical staging, particularly regarding lymph node involvement. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of B-mode and color Doppler ultrasonography in differentiating benign and malignant mammary tumors, as well as in detecting metastasis and reactivity in locoregional lymph nodes of bitches. Thirty bitches with mammary tumors were included and allocated into three groups according to tumor size. Ultrasonographic evaluation of mammary tumors and axillary and inguinal lymph nodes was performed, followed by mastectomy and lymphadenectomy with histopathological confirmation. Clinical and ultrasonographic tumor characteristics were not able to predict malignancy (p = 0.99). Likewise, ultrasonographic variables assessed in axillary and inguinal lymph nodes were ineffective in predicting metastasis or reactivity (p > 0.5). Ultrasonography showed high sensitivity and negative predictive value for non-metastatic lymph nodes; however, specificity (14%) and positive predictive value (2%) were low, limiting its reliability for confirming nodal metastasis. Under the conditions of this study, B-mode and color Doppler ultrasonography alone were not reliable tools for predicting tumor malignancy or lymph node involvement, emphasizing the importance of histopathological evaluation for accurate clinical staging of canine mammary neoplasms.