Abdominal Masses Flashcards
(26 cards)
What is the difference between mass and mass effect?
Mass: the actual mass itself is seen
Mass effect: displacement of organs away from their normal location by the mass
How can you determine the location of a mass from radiographs?
By assessing the mass effect, which shows displacement of organs
List the types of abdominal masses.
- Cranial
- Mid
- Retroperitoneal
- Caudal
Define organomegaly.
Generalized enlargement of the whole organ
What distinguishes focal organ enlargement from generalized enlargement?
*Focal enlargement refers to a mass (>2cm) or nodule (<2cm) that may not be visible on radiographs
*Can be difficult to determine if organ enlargement is generalised (organomegaly) or focal (mass in the organ)
What are the roentgen signs used to describe a mass?
- Size
- Shape
- Margins
- Opacity
- Number
- Location
What are the differential diagnoses (Ddx) for cranial abdominal masses?
- Liver
- Dilated stomach
- Stomach wall mass
- Gall bladder mass
- Pancreas
What is a common finding with cranial abdominal masses?
Caudal displacement of the stomach if the mass is in the liver
Which organ is most commonly associated with mid-abdominal masses?
Spleen
What is the typical presentation of a mid-abdominal mass on radiographs?
Small intestine displaced cranially, caudally, and dorsally
What are the differential diagnoses (Ddx) for mid-abdominal masses?
- Spleen
- Pedunculated hepatic mass
- Intestinal mass
- Mesenteric mass
True or False: The gastric axis can be displaced cranially by a mass.
False
What should be done for large masses in any organ?
They should be removed if possible due to illness caused by necrosis and metabolic load
What are the three main prostatic diseases?
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- Prostatitis or prostatic abscess
- Prostatic neoplasia
How can you differentiate between a splenic mass and a kidney mass on radiographs?
Use lateral views to assess the features of retroperitoneal mass; spleen is usually ventral, kidney is always dorsal
What is the most common type of splenic mass?
Haemangiosarcoma
What is the significance of mineralization in the prostate?
It indicates neoplasia
What imaging modality is best for prostatic disease diagnosis?
Ultrasound
What are the signs supporting a radiographic diagnosis of prostatic neoplasia?
- Sublumbar lymph node enlargement
- Periosteal new bone on vertebrae and sacrum
- Mineralisation in the prostate
What is the radiographic sign of pyometra?
Mass effect in the caudal abdomen with intestines displaced cranially
What is the earliest time to confirm pregnancy via ultrasound?
As early as 10 days in the cat and dog
Fill in the blank: The colon should enter the pelvic inlet ________.
halfway between the spine and pubis
What is the common cause of sublumbar lymph node enlargement?
Neoplasia, often metastasis or multicentric neoplasia such as lymphoma
What can cause displacement of the colon in the caudal abdomen?
Enlargement of sublumbar lymph nodes or prostate
