Ultrasonographic characteristics of renal lymphoma in cats receiving chemotherapy

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to describe renal ultrasonographic (US) findings in cats with confirmed renal lymphoma receiving chemotherapy and correlate them with clinical and clinicopathological findings.MethodsFor this multicenter retrospective study, cats were included if they had cyto-/histological confirmation of renal lymphoma, received multiagent chemotherapy, and US images of the kidneys before and after treatment were available. All images at T0 (diagnosis) and T1 (after chemotherapy) were reviewed. Oncology records were reviewed, and serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations were recorded, when available.ResultsA total of 24 cats (20 males, 4 females; median age 8 years) who underwent vincristine, cyclophosphamide and prednisolone (COP)-based chemotherapy were included. At T1 (median 33 days, range 20-60), 21 cats were considered to have experienced clinical benefit (20 with improved renal appearance on ultrasound, one with static appearance), two cats had stable clinical findings (one stable, one progressive ultrasound) and one cat clinically declined (progressive ultrasound). On ultrasonography, nephromegaly resolved in 12/20 cats, hypoechoic subcapsular rim disappeared in 6/17 and reduced in 7/17, and nodules and/or masses disappeared in 8/14 and reduced in 5/14 cats. Six cats had normal creatinine and BUN concentrations at both T0 and T1 (five improved and one with stable ultrasound findings); in 11 cats, the azotemia detected at T0 resolved at T1; four cats were persistently azotemic (all with reduced creatinine and BUN concentrations) and one cat became azotemic on T1 (progressive ultrasonography).Conclusions and relevanceAfter chemotherapy, kidneys affected by lymphoma commonly returned to their regular size; subcapsular rim, nodules and masses markedly reduced or completely resolved. US findings were often in agreement with clinical and clinicopathological findings.