Table 3 Qualitative variables in percentage of cases; and Mean ± SD of quantitative variables evaluated by different ultrasonography methods (B-mode, Doppler and ARFI-elastography) in axillary lymph nodes of bitches with mammary lesions.

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

Parameter

Free

Reactive

Metastatic

P-value

B-Mode ultrasonography

Shape

Elongated

45% (15)

31% (17)

22% (2)

0,1161

Rounded

55% (18)

69% (37)

78% (7)

Echotexture

Homogeneous

82% (27)

91% (49)

67% (6)

0,0949

Heterogeneous

18% (6)

9% (5)

33% (3)

Mixed

0 (0)

0% (0)

0% (0)

Echogenicity

Hypoechoic

97% (32)

98% (53)

89% (8)

0,1981

Hyperechoic

3% (1)

2% (1)

0% (0)

Mixed

0% (0)

0% (0)

11% (1)

Short/Long axis ratio

0,47 ± 0,13

0,49 ± 0,12

0,53 ± 0,16

0,4724

Doppler ultrasonography

Vascularization

Present

10% (3)

28% (15)

22% (2)

0,3154

Absent

90% (30)

72% (39)

78% (7)

Localization

Peripheral

91% (30)

98% (53)

78% (7)

0,3858

Central

9% (3)

2% (1)

22% (2)

ARFI-Elastography

Deformability

Hard

6% (2)a

15% (8)b

67% (6)b

0,0005*

Soft

94% (31)

85% (46)

33% (3)

Pattern (%)

Homogeneous

100% (33)a

96% (52)a

44% (4)b

0,0001*

Heterogeneous

0% (0)

4% (2)

56% (5)

SWV (m/s)

1,87 ± 0,27a

2,30 ± 0,35b

3,02 ± 0,50c

0,0001*

Depth (cm)

1,19 ± 0,36

1,34 ± 0,39

1,37 ± 0,52

0,1989

  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).