Toth et al: Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonographic evaluation prior to laparoscopic-assisted gastrointestinal foreign body removal in 30 dogs
Veterinary Surgery 2, 2026

Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonographic evaluation prior to laparoscopic-assisted gastrointestinal foreign body removal in 30 dogs

🔍 Key Findings

  • Abdominal ultrasonography accurately identified foreign body type (96.8%) and shape (93.5%), demonstrating strong diagnostic agreement with surgical findings.
  • Localization accuracy for foreign bodies was lower (77.4%), indicating moderate reliability for determining exact GI segment involvement.
  • Ultrasound consistently underestimated foreign body size, meaning surgical planning should account for potential larger true dimensions.
  • Overall success of laparoscopic-assisted intestinal surgery (LAIS) was 53.3% (16/30 dogs), with the remainder requiring conversion to open laparotomy.
  • Non-linear foreign bodies were more successfully removed laparoscopically (60.9%) than linear foreign bodies (28.6%).
  • Foreign bodies located at the caudal duodenal flexure were not successfully removed via LAIS (0%), representing a key anatomic limitation.
  • Ultrasound detected intestinal adhesions with ~80% accuracy, although sensitivity was lower (66.7%), meaning some adhesions were missed preoperatively.
  • Foreign body location and presence of adhesions were the most important predictors of LAIS success, making preoperative ultrasound valuable for surgical decision-making.

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Toth et al: Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonographic evaluation prior to laparoscopic-assisted gastrointestinal foreign body removal in 30 dogs
Veterinary Surgery 2, 2026

🔍 Key Findings

  • Abdominal ultrasonography accurately identified foreign body type (96.8%) and shape (93.5%), demonstrating strong diagnostic agreement with surgical findings.
  • Localization accuracy for foreign bodies was lower (77.4%), indicating moderate reliability for determining exact GI segment involvement.
  • Ultrasound consistently underestimated foreign body size, meaning surgical planning should account for potential larger true dimensions.
  • Overall success of laparoscopic-assisted intestinal surgery (LAIS) was 53.3% (16/30 dogs), with the remainder requiring conversion to open laparotomy.
  • Non-linear foreign bodies were more successfully removed laparoscopically (60.9%) than linear foreign bodies (28.6%).
  • Foreign bodies located at the caudal duodenal flexure were not successfully removed via LAIS (0%), representing a key anatomic limitation.
  • Ultrasound detected intestinal adhesions with ~80% accuracy, although sensitivity was lower (66.7%), meaning some adhesions were missed preoperatively.
  • Foreign body location and presence of adhesions were the most important predictors of LAIS success, making preoperative ultrasound valuable for surgical decision-making.

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Toth 2026 et al., on GIFB ultrasound accuracy, what was the reported accuracy of abdominal ultrasonography in identifying the type of gastrointestinal foreign body in dogs?

A. Approximately 50% accuracy
B. Approximately 65% accuracy
C. Approximately 77% accuracy
D. Approximately 96.8% accuracy
E. Approximately 100% accuracy

Answer: Approximately 96.8% accuracy

Explanation: Ultrasound correctly identified the foreign body type in 96.8% of cases, showing excellent agreement with surgical findings.
In Toth 2026 et al., on GIFB ultrasound accuracy, how did ultrasound most commonly misestimate gastrointestinal foreign body characteristics?

A. It overestimated foreign body width
B. It overestimated foreign body length
C. It underestimated foreign body size
D. It underestimated foreign body location
E. It failed to identify shape

Answer: It underestimated foreign body size

Explanation: The study reported that ultrasound consistently underestimated the size of the foreign body compared with surgical measurements.
In Toth 2026 et al., on GIFB ultrasound accuracy, which type of foreign body had a higher success rate for laparoscopic-assisted removal?

A. Linear foreign bodies
B. Non-linear foreign bodies
C. Sharp metallic foreign bodies
D. Gastric foreign bodies
E. Multiple simultaneous foreign bodies

Answer: Non-linear foreign bodies

Explanation: Non-linear foreign bodies had a laparoscopic success rate of about 60.9%, compared with 28.6% for linear foreign bodies.
In Toth 2026 et al., on GIFB ultrasound accuracy, which gastrointestinal foreign body location was associated with failure of laparoscopic-assisted intestinal surgery?

A. Jejunum
B. Ileocecal junction
C. Proximal jejunum
D. Caudal duodenal flexure
E. Gastric antrum

Answer: Caudal duodenal flexure

Explanation: Foreign bodies near the caudal duodenal flexure had a 0% laparoscopic success rate due to difficulty exteriorizing this region.
In Toth 2026 et al., on GIFB ultrasound accuracy, which factor was identified as most influential in determining success of laparoscopic-assisted intestinal surgery?

A. Dog body condition score
B. Type of anesthetic protocol
C. Foreign body location and presence of adhesions
D. Breed of the dog
E. Duration of clinical signs

Answer: Foreign body location and presence of adhesions

Explanation: The authors concluded that foreign body location and intestinal adhesions were the key determinants of laparoscopic success or need for open conversion.

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