Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging tool used to evaluate organ texture, detect masses, and guide needle aspirations. It plays a central role in diagnosing intestinal lymphoma and renal-lymphoma in cats, and in evaluating kidney structure in chronic-kidney-disease.
Key Facts
- Non-invasive; anesthesia rarely needed
- Can detect characteristic intestinal lymphoma bowel-wall changes
- Evaluates lymph node enlargement and organ texture (liver, kidneys)
- Guides needle aspirate biopsy of masses, lymph nodes, kidneys, and liver
- Intestinal lymphoma may be treated based on ultrasound findings alone (without biopsy) to reduce cost
- Kidney imaging is recommended in CKD to check for ureteral-stones and structural abnormalities
- Adrenal gland imaging distinguishes pituitary from adrenal cushings-syndrome (symmetry vs asymmetry)
- Assesses thyroid tumor invasiveness and surgical feasibility
- Species: dogs and cats
Connections (22)
Related Conditions
Detects stones invisible on X-rays and evaluates urinary tract damage
Evaluates kidney structure, detects stones, and monitors changes.
Used to image adrenal glands for size/symmetry and detect tumor invasion
Used to evaluate upper urinary tract but not ideal for ectopic ureter diagnosis
— detects fluid accumulation and organ damage
Screens for tumors and stones
— primary diagnostic imaging
Detects splenic and cardiac masses
— diagnostic imaging for underlying conditions
Used to evaluate kidneys and search for tumors
— may show plication pattern
— primary diagnostic imaging
Key diagnostic tool for intestinal lymphoma.
Evaluates for internal organ involvement
— diagnostic imaging for joint assessment
Used for diagnosis and guided needle aspirate.
Used to assess tumor invasiveness and surgical feasibility
Primary imaging tool for bladder tumors
Imaging detects obstructive stones in the urinary tract.