Radiographic and Ultrasonographic Features of Splenic Tumors in Dogs: A Clinicopathological Study

Background: Splenic tumors are among the most common intra-abdominal neoplasms in dogs and often present with nonspecific clinical signs, making early diagnosis challenging. Methods: The study was conducted on 82 dogs presented with suspected splenic disorders at Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital, Chennai, for a period of two years between January 2024 and January 2026. All cases underwent detailed clinical examination, hematological and biochemical analyses, radiographic evaluation and ultrasonographic assessment. Ultrasonography was used to evaluate splenic size, echotexture, margins and metastatic involvement. Fine-needle aspiration cytology was performed under ultrasound guidance and histopathological examination was carried out in selected cases for definitive diagnosis. Result: Common clinical signs included anorexia, abdominal distension and abdominal pain. Hematological findings revealed anemia, leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia, while biochemical alterations included hypoproteinemia. Radiography showed splenomegaly, intestinal displacement and abdominal masses, whereas ultrasonography consistently detected splenomegaly, heterogeneous masses, irregular margins and metastasis. Cytological and histopathological examination identified various lesions, including hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, hemangioma and hematoma. Ultrasonography proved to be a sensitive tool for detection and preliminary characterization, though definitive diagnosis required confirmatory techniques. Although hemangiosarcoma was frequently suspected based on ultrasonographic features and clinical presentation, histopathological confirmation was obtained in fewer cases due to limited access to biopsy samples. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating clinical examination with diagnostic imaging, cytology and histopathology for the evaluation of splenic tumors in dogs.