Ex 1 - Liver, Spleen, LN, Peritoneal Space (Randall)

Question 1

what is the largest solid organ in the abdomen?

Answer 1

LIVER

Question 2

Which species has abundant falciform fat? (ventral to the liver)

Answer 2

cats

Question 3

Which animals has a larger liver compared to body size

Answer 3

Cats & neonatal and young dogs

Question 4

Hepatomegaly - rad findings

Answer 4

• Rounding or blunting of the caudoventral liver
• Extension beyond costal arch
• Displacement of the gastric axis - caudal and perhaps medial

Question 5

Diff’s for Hepatomegaly - Generalized

Answer 5

• inflammation
• endocrine hepatopathy (steroids)
• hepatic venous congestion (RCHF)
• lipidosis
• infiltrative dz
• primary or metastatic neoplasia

Question 6

Diff’s for Hepatomegaly - Focal

Answer 6

• primary or metastatic neoplasia
• abscess
• granuloma
• cyst

Question 7

Displaced gastric axis?

Answer 7

Hepatomegaly: caudally

Microhepatia: cranially

Question 8

Microhepatia is generally assoc’d with:

Answer 8

• chronic liver dz
• cirrhosis
• PSS

*deep chested breeds: liver appears small

Question 9

Causes of liver mineralization

Answer 9

Choleliths

Choledocholiths

Parenchymal mineralization (granulomas, neoplasia, abscesses)

Question 10

If you see branching mineralization in liver, think…

Answer 10

Think biliary system!

Question 11

What do we worry about when seeing gas bubbles in liver?

Answer 11

• bacteria producing gas (abscess)

- tumor (necrosis)

Question 12

On V/D, where do we see spleen head?

Answer 12

left (triangle shape)

Question 13

On lateral, where do we see spleen tail?

Answer 13

ventral (triangle)

Question 14

Causes of generalized splenomegaly?

Answer 14

sedation 
anesthesia 
systemic dz 
splenic torsion 
neoplasia (lymphoma)

Question 15

Causes of focal splenomegaly

Answer 15

neoplasia (hemangioma, -sarcoma)
EMH
hematoma

Question 16

Should you see tail of spleen in cats on lateral rad?

Answer 16

NO! if you see tail = splenomegaly

Question 17

Region of sublumbar LN

Answer 17

ventral to spine near pelvis

Question 18

Ddx for free peritoneal gas

Answer 18

• iatrogenic (up to 2 wks post-op)
• rupture of hollow viscous (e.g. GI)
• penetrating wounds (e.g. GSW)

*Unless recent sx or intervention has occurred, you see pneumoperitoneum –> do sx exploration

Question 19

Good view for free peritoneal gas?

Answer 19

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