Small Animal Radiology and Ultrasound: A Diagnostic Atlas and Text

Chapter Three The Abd omen 449
common. In cats, generalized splenic enlargement most often indicates infiltrative disease
such as lymphosarcoma or mast cell tumor (Fig. 3-267).
Changes in the shape of the spleen are almost always due to healed fractures or focal
masses. These may be multiple and small, as is frequently seen with nodular hyperplasia,
or may be large and solitary, as those seen in hematoma, hemangioma, leiomyosarcoma, or
hemangiosarcoma (Fig. 3-268). Splenic hemangiosarcoma in dogs may rupture, resulting
in hemorrhage or metastasis into the adjacent peritoneum (Fig. 3-269). This will appear as
a vaguely definable mass in an area of poor visceral detail.
Fig. 3-266 An 8-year-old male
Standard Poodle with anemia. The
lateral radiograph revealed marked
splenomegaly. Differential diagnoses
include splenic dilation secondary to
tranquilization or anesthesia, lymphoma,
hypersplenism, autoimmune
hemolytic anemia, or mast cell
tumor. Diagnosis: Hypersplenism.
Fig. 3-267 A 5-year-old female
domestic short-haired cat with vomiting
and anorexia for 2 weeks. The
lateral radiograph revealed diffuse
splenomegaly. Differential diagnoses
include lymphoma or mast cell
tumor. Diagnosis: Mast cell tumor.