Ultrasonographic evaluation of depth–width ratio (D/W) of benign and malignant mammary tumors in dogs

Depth-width ratio (D/W) is the only quantitative item in the criteria recommended by the Japanese Ultrasound Society for the evaluation of breast tumors in humans. However, the usefulness of the D/W has not been evaluated in dogs. Eighty-six mammary masses in 34 female dogs underwent ultrasonographic examination to determine the D/W and other characteristics. Results of ultrasonographic and histopathologic examinations were compared. The D/W of malignant tumors was significantly greater than that of benign tumors, and it had a sensitivity of 56.3% and a specificity of 92.9% for the diagnosis of malignancy when the threshold of D/W was 0.7. In addition, irregular margin, polymorphous shape and heterogeneous internal echographic characteristics were correlated with malignancy.