Table 2 Qualitative variables in percentage of cases; and Mean ± SD of quantitative variables evaluated by different ultrasonography methods (B-mode, Doppler and ARFI-elastography) in inguinal lymph nodes of bitches with mammary neoplasms.

From: Ultrasonography for lymph nodes metastasis identification in bitches with mammary neoplasms

Parameter

Free

Reactive

Metastatic

P-value

B-Mode ultrasonography

Shape

Elongated

80% (24)

31% (16)

22% (4)

0,6104

Rounded

20% (6)

69% (35)

78% (15)

Echotexture

Homogeneous

97% (29)

91% (46)

67% (13)

0,5017

Heterogeneous

3% (1)

9% (5)

33% (6)

Mixed

0% (0)

0% (0)

0% (0)

Echogenicity

Hypoechoic

97% (29)

98% (50)

89% (17)

0,2865

Hyperechoic

3% (1)

2% (1)

0% (0)

Mixed

0% (0)

0% (0)

11% (2)

Short/Long axis ratio

0,38 ± 0,10

0,37 ± 0,11

0,34 ± 0,10

0,4286

Doppler ultrasonography

Vascularization

Present

50% (15)

58% (30)

60% (11)

0,1307

Absent

50% (15)

42% (21)

40% (8)

Localization

Peripheral

100% (30)

98% (50)

78% (15)

0,1537

Central

0% (0)

2% (1)

22% (4)

ARFI-Elastography

Deformability

Hard

10% (3)a

15% (8)a

67% (13)b

0,0004*

Soft

90% (27)

85% (43)

33% (6)

Pattern

Homogeneous

97% (29)a

96% (49)a

44% (8)b

0,0009*

Heterogeneous

3% (1)

4% (2)

56% (11)

SWV (m/s)

1,91 ± 0,44a

2,29 ± 0,19b

2,99 ± 0,64c

0,0001*

Depth (cm)

1,05 ± 0,40

1,00 ± 0,38

1,10 ± 0,30

0,6075

  1. cm: centimetres; s: seconds; m: meters; SD: standard deviation; *Considered statistically significant, where different letters indicate significance between the histopathological diagnoses (p < 0.05).