What does prostatic mineralization on canine radiographs mean?

VRU 50(2): 167-171

June 23, 2023

Study: This study aimed to characterize the relationship between ultrasonographic and radiographic prostate mineralization and the final diagnosis in dogs with evidence of prostatomegaly or prostatic mineralization and a cytologic diagnosis.

Methods: Medical records of 55 dogs were evaluated. Radiographs and ultrasound images were assessed for caudal retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy, vertebral lesions, or other signs of metastasis, and mineralization was assessed semiquantitatively.

Results: 22 of 55 (40%) dogs had prostatic neoplasia. Mineralization in neutered dogs had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 100%, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 50%, and a sensitivity and specificity of 84% and 100%, respectively. Mineralization in intact dogs had a PPV of 22%, an NPV of 96%, and a sensitivity and specificity of 67% and 77%, respectively.

Conclusions: Neutered dogs with prostatic mineralization were very likely to have prostatic neoplasia. Intact dogs were unlikely to have prostatic neoplasia if no mineralization was found on radiographs or ultrasound.

(A) A lateral radiograph of the caudal abdomen is shown with mineralization of the prostatic parenchyma visible (arrows). The degree of mineralization was graded as 2. (B) A sagittal ultrasound image of the prostate is shown with multiple hyperechoic foci representing mineralization throughout the parenchyma. The degree of mineralization was graded as 3.

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