Computed tomography features for differentiating mast cell tumors and soft tissue sarcomas in subcutaneous masses in dogs

초록

This study aimed to investigate the computed tomography (CT) features of mast cell tumors (MCTs) and soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) in subcutaneous masses of dogs and to identify distinguishing characteristics between these two tumor types. This retrospective, multicenter study included 22 dogs with subcutaneous masses diagnosed as MCTs (n = 11) or STSs (n = 11) via fine needle aspiration or excisional biopsy. The CT features were evaluated based on four categories: location, morphological characteristics (including shape, margin, capsulation, size, and long axis to short axis (L/S) ratio of the lesion), internal parenchymal characteristics (including cavitation, vascularization, mineralization, homogeneity and Hounsfield Unit within the lesion), and tissue surrounding the lesion (including surrounding tissue involvement and fat stranding around the lesion). Capsulation (P = 0.024), L/S ratio (P = 0.019), cavitation (P = 0.004), and homogeneity in the post-contrast phase (P = 0.036) were significantly different between MCTs and STSs. STSs primarily showed capsulation and cavitation within the mass and were inhomogeneous to heterogeneous in the post-contrast phase, whereas MCTs rarely showed these features and had a higher L/S ratio. Other features did not show significant differences between the two types of tumors. This study reveals that CT analysis of capsulation, cavitation, and homogeneity in the post-contrast phase differentiates MCTs and STSs in subcutaneous masses in dogs.

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