Eva luation of the central lymphatic vessel size using non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance lymphography in dogs with intestinal lymphangiectasia

Intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL) is a common complication in dogs. In human medicine, abnormalities in central lymphatic vessels are associated with IL. Thus, we evaluated central lymphatic vessels using non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance lymphography in dogs with IL. Twelve dogs with IL confirmed by gastrointestinal endoscopy were included. Five dogs were diagnosed with lymphoplasmacytic enteritis, three with small-cell lymphoma, and four with large-cell lymphoma. There was no significant difference in the size of the thoracic duct, cisterna chyli, and lumbar lymphatic trunk between control and dogs with IL (P > 0.05). Thus, the central lymphatic vessel dilation is not observed even in dogs with IL, suggesting that IL is confined to the small intestinal tissues.