hepatobiliary imaging in dogs and cats Flashcards
what is the dual blood supply to the liver
- hepatic artery (20%)
- portal vein (80%)
venous drainage is via the
caudal vena cava
In cats the common opening of CBD and pancreatic duct is at the:
major duodenal papilla in the hepatopancreatic ampulla
what percent of cats don’t have a minor duodenal papilla
80%
cranial abdomen
caudal to and conforms to the diaphragm
caudoventral margin
- right lateral view: right medial lobe
- left lateral view: left lateral lobe
what is a normal liver size
should be cranial to the costal arch
gallbladder - xray
- right craniovental abdomen
- usually not seen
gallbladder - xray in cats
- when distended, may produce a buldge along the ventral hepatic silhouette
- differential diagnosis: hepatic nodule or mass
what can you assess with radiographs of theliver
- size
- shape
- margination
- radiopacity
- location
what information does the ultrasound of theliver give
- size - sibjective assessment
- shape
- echogenicity
- structure
- vasculature
- biliary tree
- lymph nodes
normal liver echogenicity
- < than spleen
- < than falciform fat
- > /= renal cortex
- structure: coarser than spleen
ultrasound: biliary tree
dogs
- only GB visible in dogs; rounded or pear-shaped, anechoic content
- echogenic sludge is incidental
ultrasound: biliary tree
cats
- cystic duct and common bile duct can be seen in normal patients
- CBD should be less than 4 mm
what are the advantages of ultrasound of the liver
- very sensitive
- differentiate between parenchymal, biliary or vascular disorders
- diffuse vs. focal parenchymal liver disease
- changes in other abdominal organs
what are the disadvantages of using ultrasound of the liver
- not specific
- fine needle aspirates or biopsy needed for further diagnosis
what is CT
- cross-sectional imaging
- transverse images obtained
- reformatting possible in any plane
- good contrast with possible enhancement with IV iodine - vascular imagine and increased detection of pathology
what is CT angiography
imaging after various time delays post IV injection allows to optimize contrast in specific vessels such as hepatic arteries or portal venous system
