Applicability of transtoracic elastography for the diagnosis of pulmonary diseases in dogs

Abstract

The general objective of this study is to evaluate the applicability and accuracy of ARFI elastography in the detection and differentiation of lung abnormalities in canine patients, with the aim of: 1) standardizing qualitative and quantitative variables of lung tissue stiffness in healthy dogs and those with lung diseases; 2) characterize and identify lung lesions through elastographic evaluation; 3) differentiate malignant from benign lung abnormalities; 4) promote the diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis, a consequence of interstitial lung diseases; and 5) correlate data obtained by elastography with radiographic parameters, B-mode ultrasonography and, when possible, cytopathological and histopathological findings of abnormal tissues, determining examination protocol and cut-off values in canine patients with lung diseases. A prospective case-control clinical study will be carried out, divided into three experiments: Experiment 1 - control group - 20 healthy animals and group of animals with interstitial lung diseases - 30 animals; Experiment 2 - group of animals with lung masses - 30 animals; and Experiment 3 - control group - 20 healthy animals and group of animals exposed to tobacco smoke - 30 animals. The animals will be distributed in the experimental groups considering clinical history, physical examination findings, blood count, chest radiography and pulmonary ultrasound. Elastography will be performed using a specific device and transducers. Qualitative (elastogram) and quantitative (shear velocity and Kpa) data will be obtained from the pleuropulmonary interface and consolidated lung areas, with atelectasis or masses. Statistical tests will be performed to compare and correlate the data obtained in the proposed experiments, with significance set for all tests at 5% (p < 0.05). (AU)