A High Number of Ring-Down Artefacts and an Irregular Pleural Surface Are More Commonly Observed in WHWTs Suffering from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Compared to Control WHWTs

Canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (CIPF) is an interstitial lung disease reported in West Highland white terriers (WHWTs). B-mode ultrasonography (US) is used in human medicine as an adjunct tool for interstitial lung disease, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In veterinary medicine, thoracic US has been described as helpful for the diagnosis of various pulmonary diseases. The aim of this study was to describe the thoracic B-mode US findings in CIPF WHWTs, compared with those in control WHWTs. Twenty-seven WHWTs, including CIPF and control WHWTs, were prospectively enrolled. Standardised thoracic B-mode US was performed. The presence of an irregular pleural surface, ring-down artefact and peripheral nodules was assessed and scored for each location. An overall cumulative score was calculated by adding the individual scores of each location. WHWTs affected with CIPF had significantly higher overall scores compared to the control group. The ring-down artefact score was significantly higher in the CIPF group compared to the control group. No preferential location for the lesions was observed. A cut-off value of 15 ring-down artefacts for the entire thorax predicted CIPF in WHWTs with a sensitivity of 76.5% and a specificity of 80% (AUC 0.815). The present study describes B-mode US findings in CIPF WHWTs.