By Kendra Freeman, DVM, MS, DACVS (Large Animal), DACVS (Small Animal)

1) What percent of incidentally, non-ruptured splenic masses are benign?

c) 70 percent¹

2) In dogs less than 44 pounds with a hemoabdomen, what organ is most likely to be the source of the bleeding?

a) Liver² 

3) What abnormalities are associated with perioperative mortality with splenic masses?

d) All of the above³

References

1. Cleveland, M. J., & Casale, S. (2016). Incidence of malignancy and outcomes for dogs undergoing splenectomy for incidentally detected nonruptured splenic nodules or masses: 105 cases (2009–2013). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 248(11), 1267-1273. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27172343
2. Fleming, J., Giuffrida, M. A., Runge, J. J., Balsa, I. M., Culp, W. T., Mayhew, P. D., ... & Epstein, S. E. (2018). Anatomic site and etiology of hemorrhage in small versus large dogs with spontaneous hemoperitoneum. Veterinary Surgery, 47(8), 1031-1038. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30246401
3. Wendelburg, K. M., O'Toole, T. E., McCobb, E., Price, L. L., Lyons, J. A., & Berg, J. (2014). Risk factors for perioperative death in dogs undergoing splenectomy for splenic masses: 539 cases (2001–2012). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 245(12), 1382-1390. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25459483