Semiquantitative strain elastography of intestinal mucosa of healthy dogs

Abstract

Semiquantitative strain elastography is a complementary tool for intestinal ultrasonography. This study established reference values for intestinal mucosal strain ratio (SR) in healthy dogs and assessed associations with weight and age. Forty-one clinically healthy dogs were examined using semiquantitative strain elastography, focusing on the proximal duodenum and jejunum. The mean SR in the duodenum and jejunum was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.74-0.99) and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.71-0.90), respectively. The mean region of interest (ROI) was 0.43% ± 0.24% and 0.71% ± 0.80% in the mesentery adjacent to the duodenal and duodenal mucosa, respectively. In the jejunum, the average mesenteric and mucosal ROIs were 0.43% ± 0.22% and 0.64% ± 0.44%, respectively. Pearson’s test demonstrated no significant correlation between SR and the dogs’ weight or age, except for a weak but significant negative correlation between jejunal SR and age (r = -0.31, P = 0.04). These findings established reference SR values for the duodenal and jejunal mucosa in healthy dogs. Semiquantitative strain elastography is a feasible and safe tool for assessing intestinal elasticity in dogs. Further studies should include a larger sample and dogs with varying ages, weights, and intestinal diseases to expand diagnostic applicability