Evaluation of Healthy and Subclinical Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Affected Intact Male Dogs Using Ultrasonography and Specific Features of Computed Tomography

Spontaneous benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is common in aged intact male dogs; the condition is often without clinical signs. While ultrasonography is commonly used for the evaluation of health status of prostate gland, computed tomography (CT) offers advanced imaging capabilities. The latter technique allows for comprehensive investigation of the target organs, with possible incidental findings in other organs. This study aimed to evaluate the prostate gland in BPH-affected and healthy intact male dogs using ultrasonography and various CT assessment techniques. This study involved 52 intact male dogs of various breeds, ages, and weights. These dogs were divided into two study groups based on the cytological findings of the prostate gland tissue; healthy group (n=24) and a group with confirmed subclinical BPH (n=28). Animals of both groups were examined using ultrasonography and CT features to assess the health status of prostate gland. Results revealed that the length, width, height and volume of prostate gland were significantly higher in BPH-affected group than the healthy group (p<0.001). Similarly, asymmetry and heterogenicity of the gland was observed in higher %age of BPH-affected dogs than the healthy ones (p<0.001). BPH-affected dogs also exhibited lower contrast attenuation values and higher ratios of prostate gland dimensions to the 6th lumbar vertebra compared to healthy dogs. Additionally, ratios of prostate gland width and height to pelvic inlet dimensions were higher in BPH group (p<0.001). In conclusion, the study shows that utilizing multiple CT imaging method, including the partial pelvimetry technique, offers both reliability for advanced imaging of the prostate gland and serves as a diagnostic tool for BPH diagnosis in dogs.