Computed tomography perfusion is potentially useful for diagnosis of canine prostate adenocarcinoma.

Objective: To determine optimal CT perfusion (CTP) imaging parameters for evaluating the canine prostate and to assess the diagnostic utility of CTP combined with cytopathologic evaluation and B-Raf proto-oncogene (BRAF) gene mutation testing in dogs with prostate adenocarcinoma.

Methods: For this study, 10 male dogs were enrolled, comprising 4 healthy Beagles and 6 client-owned dogs with suspected prostatic neoplasia. Computed tomography perfusion was performed in the healthy dogs using varied contrast agent doses and injection durations. Time-density curves and arterial blood flow values were analyzed to determine the optimal imaging protocol in these healthy dogs. The clinical cases underwent preoperative urine sampling for cytopathologic assessment and BRAF mutation analysis, followed by CTP using the optimized protocol. Prostatectomy and the subsequent histopathological examination were performed in all clinical cases.

Results: The protocol of 600 mgI/kg administered over 10 seconds yielded optimal vascular and parenchymal enhancement. Cytopathologic analysis confirmed adenocarcinoma in 5 of 6 dogs, whereas all dogs tested positive for BRAF mutation. Histopathology confirmed prostate cancer in all cases. Median arterial blood flow was higher in clinical cases (130.5 mL/min/100 mL) than in healthy controls (92.7 mL/min/100 mL).

Conclusions: A standardized CTP protocol with rapid contrast administration allows for accurate quantification of prostatic perfusion and may aid in the identification of prostatic adenocarcinoma in dogs. Additionally, detection of the BRAF mutation also holds promise as a tool for the preoperative diagnosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Clinical relevance: Computed tomography perfusion, in conjunction with BRAF mutation testing, may enhance preoperative diagnostic accuracy for canine prostate adenocarcinoma and inform surgical planning.