Ultrasound Liver and Spleen Flashcards
What is the scanning technique for the liver?
Use xyphoid cartilage as a reference.
Sagittal and transverse scanning.
**Intercostal approach for microhepatica or for deep chested breeds!
Transverse ultrasound views images
Left to right.
Sagittal images view..
Cranial to caudal.
Normal liver:
Cranial boarder: Hyperechoic diaphragm.
Uniform, slightly coarse echo texture.
Normal liver: vessels:
Portal: highly echogenic walls.
Hepatic veins: less distinct walls
Hepatic arteries are not visible!
Normal liver: vessels:
Portal: highly echogenic walls.
Hepatic veins: less distinct walls
Hepatic arteries are not visible!
*View ultrasound liver and spleen lecture; slide 5
Normal liver biliary structures:
Gall bladder is visible with various contents.
Intrahepatic bile ducts are not visible
Common bile ducts difficult to image in normal dogs, often visible in normal cats.
Studies have shown liver and spleen on ultrasound..
Liver hypoechoic
Spleen hyper-echoic
*View ultrasound liver and spleen lecture; slide 6
In felines the gallbladder maybe..
Bilobed!
In felines the gallbladder maybe..
Bilobed!
*View ultrasound liver and spleen lecture; slide 8
Appearance of sludge in the gallbladder.
Sludge/bile varies in appearance, especially in dogs.
Not organized**
Gallbladder wall thickness in dogs:
up to 3 mm
accurate in predicating gallbladder disease, although thickness under <1 mm cannot rule out mild or chronic inflammation.
Gallbladder wall thickness in cats:
thickness of >1 mm is accurate in predicating gallbladder disease, although thickness under <1 mm cannot rule out mild or chronic inflammation.
What is an abnormal liver on ultrasound?
Changes in the shape, size, echogenicity and echo texture.
Focal, multifocal or diffuse changes.
Changes associated with the biliary system.
Vascular changes.
A normal liver ultrasound does not..
RULE OUT HEPATIC DISEASE
A normal liver ultrasound does not..
RULE OUT HEPATIC DISEASE
Hyperechoic +/- hepatomegaly in dogs due to..
Steroid hepatopathy (cushings, iatrogenic)
Neoplasia (LSA)
Cirrhosis
Fatty liver (diabetes M)
Hyperechoic +/- hepatomegaly in cats due to..
Fat (normal)
Lipidosis
Cirrhosis
Neoplasia
Portal vessels in the liver are more difficult to see with..
Hyperechoic liver.
More easily seen (and see more) with hypoechoic liver.
Hyperechoic liver
Compared to spleen, compared to falciform fat.
Compared against your own standard.
Portal vessels not easily seen.
*View ultrasound liver and spleen lecture; slide 12