Comparison of ultrasonography and histologic examination for identification of ocular diseases of animals: 113 cases (2000-2010).
Abstract: To compare ultrasonographic and histologic examination findings for eyes of animals with ocular diseases. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 116 eyes of 113 animals examined at 2 facilities. Methods: Diseased eyes of animals were examined by means of ultrasonography, removed via enucleation or exenteration, then histologically examined. Ultrasonographic images and histopathologic slides were evaluated, and diseases of eyes were identified with each of those methods and allocated to various categories. For each disease category, agreement between results of ultrasonography and those of histologic examination was assessed via determination of κ statistic values. Results: Tests had good agreement for identification of iris or ciliary body neoplasia. Overall, intraocular neoplasia was not detected via ultrasonography for only 2 of 31 eyes with histologically detected neoplasia. Hemorrhagic or inflammatory changes were misinterpreted as neoplasia for 8 of 37 (22%) eyes. Tests had moderate to acceptable agreement for identification of retinal detachment. Retinal detachment was not detected by means of ultrasonography for 14 of 38 (37%) eyes with that diagnosis determined via histologic examination at one of the facilities (primarily in eyes with intraocular hemorrhage); however, retinal detachment was not identified via histologic examination for 6 of 38 (16%) eyes with that diagnosis determined via ultrasonography at the other facility. Conclusions: Agreement between tests evaluated in this study was clinically satisfactory for identification of intraocular neoplasia. Typically, diseases were misdiagnosed via ultrasonography for eyes with poor image contrast. Because determination of ultrasonographic diagnoses of retinal detachment and intraocular neoplasm may be of prognostic importance, performance of additional ultrasonographic techniques may be indicated.
Publication Date: 2013-07-20 PubMed ID: 23865880DOI: 10.2460/javma.243.3.376Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research study compared the findings of ultrasonography and histologic examination for diagnosing ocular diseases in animals. The findings demonstrated a significant agreement between both methods in identifying intraocular neoplasia (tumors within the eye) but showed discrepancies in diagnosing retinal detachment.
Methods
- The research was conducted in a retrospective manner, analyzing 116 eyes from 113 animals investigated at two separate facilities.
- The studied eyes had recognized diseases and were inspected using ultrasonography, then removed through enucleation (removal of the eyeball while keeping muscles and connective tissues) or exenteration (removal of the entire orbital contents including the eye, extraocular muscles, and surrounding fatty tissue).
- These removed eyes were next examined histologically. Both the results of ultrasonography and histology were compared for identification and categorization of ocular diseases.
- Using kappa (κ) statistic values, the agreement between ultrasonography and histologic examination findings for each disease category was evaluated.
Results
- The tests showed good reliability in identifying iridal (pertaining to the iris) or ciliary body neoplasia (tumors).
- Of the 31 eyes identified with intraocular neoplasia through histology, ultrasonography failed to detect the neoplasia in just two instances.
- It was noted that hemorrhagic or inflammatory changes within the eyes were misinterpreted as neoplasia in 22% (8 out of 37) eyes tested.
- Moderate to acceptable agreement between the two analytical techniques was noticed for diagnosing retinal detachment. However, discrepancies were found in some instances, majorly attributed to intraocular hemorrhage. Meaning, the fluid filling in the eye due to hemorrhage impaired the ultrasonography imaging capability leading to missed detections.
Conclusions
- The analysis of the kappa statistic indicated a satisfactory level of agreement between ultrasonographic and histologic diagnoses of intraocular neoplasia.
- Ultrasonography often misdiagnosed the diseases in eyes characterized by poor image contrast.
- The research concludes by highlighting the importance of precise diagnosis of retinal detachment and intraocular neoplasm as these could have prognostic implications. To this end, the paper suggests the application of additional ultrasonographic techniques for better diagnosis results.
Cite This Article
APA
Gallhoefer NS, Bentley E, Ruetten M, Grest P, Haessig M, Kircher PR, Dubielzig RR, Spiess BM, Pot SA.
(2013).
Comparison of ultrasonography and histologic examination for identification of ocular diseases of animals: 113 cases (2000-2010).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 243(3), 376-388.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.243.3.376 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Ophthalmology Unit, Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cat Diseases / diagnosis
- Cat Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Cat Diseases / pathology
- Cats
- Dog Diseases / diagnosis
- Dog Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Dog Diseases / pathology
- Dogs
- Eye Diseases / diagnosis
- Eye Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Eye Diseases / pathology
- Eye Diseases / veterinary
- Eye Injuries / diagnosis
- Eye Injuries / diagnostic imaging
- Eye Injuries / pathology
- Eye Injuries / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Retrospective Studies
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Wafy MN, Hassan EA, Ahmed KA, Aboelmaaty AM, Abu-Seida AM. Ultrasonographic and histopathologic features associated with common ocular diseases in donkeys (Equus asinus). Vet Res Commun 2023 Sep;47(3):1479-1491.
- Abdelbaset-Ismail A, Aref M, Ezzeldein S, Eisa E, Gugjoo MB, Abdelaal A, Emam H, Al Syaad K, Ahmed AE, Alshati A, Abd El Raouf M. Ultrasound, Dacryocystorhinography and Morphological Examination of Normal Eye and Lacrimal Apparatus of the Donkey (Equus asinus). Animals (Basel) 2022 Jan 6;12(2).
- Yoshimura N, Tsuka T, Sunden Y, Morita T, Islam MS, Yamato O, Yoshimura T. Ophthalmic findings in a septic calf with the concurrent exhibition of meningitis and endophthalmitis. J Vet Med Sci 2021 Oct 31;83(11):1648-1652.
- Blohm KO, Tichy A, Nell B. Clinical utility, dose determination, and safety of ocular contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in horses: A pilot study. Vet Ophthalmol 2020 Mar;23(2):331-340.
- Lamagna B, Uccello V, Prisco F, Russo V, Lamagna F, Navas L, Mennonna G, Murino C, Meomartino L. Iris melanoma associated with unilateral phthisis bulbi in a 13-year-old domestic shorthair female cat. Vet Q 2019 Dec;39(1):131-135.
- Blohm KO, Hittmair KM, Tichy A, Nell B. Quantitative, noninvasive assessment of intra- and extraocular perfusion by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and its clinical applicability in healthy dogs. Vet Ophthalmol 2019 Nov;22(6):767-777.
- Gialletti R, Marchegiani A, Valeriani T, Nannarone S, Beccati F, Fruganti A, Laus F. A survey of ocular ultrasound abnormalities in horse: 145 cases. J Ultrasound 2018 Mar;21(1):53-59.
- Hasegawa K, Vincek A, Evenhuis JV, Goldschmidt S, Soltero-Rivera M, Vapniarsky N, Good K, Gutierrez CJ, Arzi B. Clinical features and computed tomography findings of retrobulbar disease in cats. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1743613.
- Díaz-Bertrana ML, Pitti L, Ramírez AS, Encinoso M, Fumero-Hernández M, Morales I, Arencibia A, Jaber JR. Computed Tomographic Assessment of Normal Ocular Dimensions and Densities in Cadaveric Horses (Equus ferus caballus). Animals (Basel) 2025 Oct 31;15(21).
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