CT imaging features of canine thymomas

Abstract

Canine thymomas have been evaluated based on clinical features, treatment options, surgical excision, and outcomes with limited information on specific CT features. The objective of this retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was to describe the CT characteristics of confirmed thymomas and to compare these imaging features to outcome. A total of 22 dogs met the inclusion criteria of histologically confirmed thymomas with concurrent CT imaging. Tumor size varied widely ranging from small and well-circumscribed to large and invasive. Delayed-phase, contrast-enhanced CT studies were best for determining the degree of contrast enhancement in tumors. Of these, 19 of 22 masses had heterogeneous enhancement and three of 22 masses had homogeneous enhancement. Vascular invasion was present in seven of 22 cases. Larger tumors were associated with vascular invasion (height: P =.04; width and volume: P =.02). On precontrast CT, larger tumors (16/21) were heterogeneous and cystic, with smaller tumors (5/21) being more homogeneous (all values P.3 for all size dimensions). Postoperative complications and incomplete tumor resection were associated with shorter outcome (both values P