Liver Flashcards
A defect in what basic cellular component results in ductal plate malformation?
Primary cilia
JVIM 2021, Siebert
Which ductal plate malformation results in abundant malformed bile ducts in fibrosis expanding the portal tracts?
Proliferative-like DPM
JVIM 2021, Siebert
Name two histopath findings that differentiate proliferative-like ductal plate malformation from other hepatopathies that result in scarring.
1) Minimal inflammation
2) Normal orientation of hepatic chords
JVIM 2021, Siebert
Which ductal plate malformation causes malformed medium to large bile ducts, diverticula, etc?
Caroli DPM
JVIM 2021, Siebert
What chronic condition does Caroli DPM mimic histologically? What differentiates it from this condition?
Can look like chronic EHBDO histologically but usually doesn’t clinically present that way.
JVIM 2021, Siebert
Which ductal plate malformation incurs increased risk for choleliths?
Caroli DPM
JVIM 2021, Siebert
Which ductal plate malformation results in cysts-like offshoots along the CBD or cystic duct? Where do these most frequently occur in the biliary tract?
Choledochal cyst DPM; usually at the duodenal papilla
JVIM 2021, Siebert
Which ductal plate malformation causes lots of teeny cystic malformations in fibrosis, which effaces the normal liver parenchyma? Which side of the liver is usually affected?
Expansive cystadenoma DPM
JVIM 2021, Siebert
Name at least two additional congenital malformations that may accompany expansive cystadenoma ductal plate malformation.
1) GB agenesis or hypoplasia
2) liver lobe agenesis or hypoplasia
3) Congenital PSS (rare)
JVIM 2021, Siebert
Which ductal plate malformations are more common in cats > dogs?
Choledochal cyst DPM, expansive cystadenoma DPM
JVIM 2021, Siebert
Which ductal plate malformations can progress to congenital hepatic fibrosis?
Proliferative-like DMP, Caroli DPM
JVIM 2021, Siebert
In people, what is the only effective treatment for congenital hepatic fibrosis? Why do immunomodulatory medications not work?
1) Liver transplant
2) The fibrosis is not caused by inflammation
JVIM 2021, Siebert
What proportion of animals with peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH)/congenital central diaphragmatic hernia (CCDH) also have liver and/or renal DPM? What does this imply as a possible mechanism for the development of PPDH/CCDH?
> 70%. Means primary cilia may be involved.
JVIM 2021, Siebert
Should you biopsy herniated or nonherniated liver lobes in cases of peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH)/congenital central diaphragmatic hernia (CCDH)? How many lobes should you bx for most accurate diagnosis?
> 2 nonherniated lobes
JVIM 2021, Siebert
Does bloodwork differentiate animals with peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH)/congenital central diaphragmatic hernia (CCDH) that DO vs DO NOT also have ductal plate malformation?
Only if liver fibrosis (presumably dysfunction?) and/or shunt present
JVIM 2021, Siebert
What is the typical signalment for hepatocutaneous syndrome (including a few predisposed breeds)?
–Older, small breed, male
–Cockers, shelties, shih tzu, westies
JVIM 2021, Loftus
Which endocrinopathy frequently accompanies hepatocutaneous syndrome?
Diabetes mellitus
JVIM 2021, Loftus
Which two amino acids are frequently found in the urine of dogs with hepatocutaneous syndrome?
Lysine, methionine
JVIM 2021, Loftus
Does the amino acid profile predict which ACHES dogs do or do not have concurrent SND?
No – lots of overlap
JVIM 2021, Loftus
What is presumed to cause hepatocutaneous syndrome in people?
Glucagonoma
JVIM 2021, Loftus
What two CBC abnormalities are associated with ACHES-SND vs ACHES without SND?
SND –> anemia, microcytosis
JVIM 2021, Loftus
What proportion of ACHES dogs do not have SND at the time of diagnosis? What proportion of these will develop it later on?
50%, 20%
JVIM 2021, Loftus
What liver histopath finding is pathognemonic for ACHES?
Proliferative hepatocellular foci (different from regenerative nodules)
JVIM 2021, Loftus
What liver condition can ACHES potentially progress to? What type of monitoring is indicated?
Dysplastic foci or hepatocellular carcinoma; monitor with serial AUS
JVIM 2021, Loftus
Which medication is associated with developing ACHES? How does discontinuing it affect survival?
Phenobarbital; d/c’ing does not seem to affect survival
JVIM 2021, Loftus
What are the three basic pillars of ACHES treatment? List them in order of anticipated relative benefit.
Home-cooked diet, AA +/- lipid infusions, enteral supplements
JVIM 2021, Loftus
What is the dosing frequency of AA +/- lipid infusions in dogs with SND?
q7-10d until skin lesions resolve, then q3-6 weeks
JVIM 2021, Loftus
How quickly do SND lesions respond to AA +/- lipid infusions?
Highly variable – after 1-13 transfusions, so even if does not respond for a while, doesn’t mean they WON’T respond
JVIM 2021, Loftus
Name at least three enteral supplements to consider for ACHES.
Proline, lysine, arginine/ornithine, glutathione, SAMe (not proven to be low in ACHES dogs but easy to supplement)
JVIM 2021, Loftus
What is the downstream product of SAMe?
Glutathione
JVIM 2021, Loftus
What is the target protein % for diet in treatment of ACHES? Is a balanced commercial diet or home cooked preferred?
50% of metabolizable energy (ME) from protein. Home cooked (developed by nutritionist) > commercial diet.
JVIM 2021, Loftus
How does diabetes mellitus affect prognosis of ACHES?
ACHES dogs with DM did better but may have been type II error; at the very least, can infer ACHES dogs with DM can still do well
JVIM 2021, Loftus
What is the MST for ACHES dogs with optimal treatment (>2 AA +/- lipid transfusions, >3 prioritized enteral supplements, home cooked diet)? How does this compare with all other tx combinations?
Optimal tx MST >4.8 years, other tx combos 7mo
JVIM 2021, Loftus
Does hepatic lead correlate positively or negatively with hepatic copper? This is especially true at what copper threshold?
Positive, esp at Cu >400
JVIM 2021, Gori
What peripheral and bone marrow effects are seen with acute lead poisoning? What are the two basic mechanisms?
–Anemia (most common), basophilic stippling, decr M:E, ineffective erythropoiesis
–Interferes with heme synth, causes RBC oxidative stress
JVIM 2021, Gori
What are the three possible etiologies of hepatic copper accumulation? Which of these may play a role in lead accumulation?
1) genetic defect in hepatic Cu metabolism
2) cholestasis –> impaired biliary excretion of Cu
3) excessive dietary Cu
1 and 2 may play a role in lead accumulation, but previous studies have ruled out 3 (no significant lead in dog food)
JVIM 2021, Gori
What are three underlying mechanisms that can cause incr bile acids?
1) liver dysfunction –> decr portal BA clearance
2) PSS
3) bile stasis
JVIM 2021, Pena-Ramos
Can pre/post BA differentiate between different types of hepatopathies?
No – lots of overlap between diseases
JVIM 2021, Pena-Ramos
Can normal dogs have high bile acids, and vice versa?
Yes. Even dogs with liver vascular anamolies can have normal BA.
JVIM 2021, Pena-Ramos
Can normal dogs have high bile acids, and vice versa?
Yes. Even dogs with liver vascular anomalies can have normal BA.
JVIM 2021, Pena-Ramos
Are pre or post BA more sensitive for liver disease? Which is more specific?
Pre BA are more specific, post BA are more sensitive
JVIM 2021, Pena-Ramos
What is the typical BCAA:AAA in healthy dogs vs APSS dogs?
Healthy 3-4
APSS <1.5
JVIM 2021, Devriendt
BCAA vs AAA
Which are typically metabolized by the liver vs muscle?
BCAA - muscle
AAA - liver
JVIM 2021, Devriendt
Other than high ammonia and low BCAA:AAA, name at least two other causes for hepatic encephalopathy.
High glutamine, glutamate, Mn, systemic inflamm
JVIM 2021, Devriendt