Hepatic encephalopathy

Question 1

What is elastography?

Answer 1

○ Noninvasive imaging technique
○ Assesses tissue mechanical properties like stiffness
○ Uses sound waves
○ Detects differences in stiffness between healthy and diseased tissues

Question 2

How was elastography investigated in dogs with suspected acute
pancreatitis?

Answer 2

Shear wave velocity was higher in dogs with suspected AP compared to controls

Question 3

What is computed tomography angiography (CTA)?

Answer 3

○ Utilizes iodinated contrast material
○ Evaluates blood flow in organs and tissues
○ Rapid image acquisition with multislice CT

Question 4

What are the imaging findings in acute pancreatitis on CTA?

Answer 4

○ Enlarged pancreas
○ Hypoattenuating appearance
○ Heterogeneous contrast enhancement indicating decreased vascularity

Question 5

How does CTA compare to abdominal ultrasound in identifying severe acute
pancreatitis and portal vein thrombosis?

Answer 5

CTA is superior in identifying severe AP and portal vein thrombosis

Question 6

What is the sensitivity and specificity of the Spec cPL assay in dogs with
gastrointestinal disease?

Answer 6

○ Sensitivity: 85.7% to 90.9%
○ Specificity: 64.0% to 74.3%

Question 7

What are some routine clinicopathological features of acute pancreatitis in
dogs?

Answer 7

○ Dehydration reflected by increased PCV and total protein
○ Hypoproteinemia due to acute phase response or protein loss
○ Thrombocytopenia from inflammation
○ Left shift in neutrophils
○ Increased acute phase reactants and inflammatory cytokines

Question 8

How can serum biochemistry profile help in diagnosing acute pancreatitis in
dogs?

Answer 8

○ Azotemia may indicate AKI
○ Increased liver enzyme activities due to hepatic changes
○ Hypocalcemia may occur secondary to other factors

Question 9

What is the role of symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) in detecting acute
kidney injury secondary to acute pancreatitis?

Answer 9

SDMA may be a more sensitive biomarker for AKI secondary to AP

Question 10

How can a blood smear evaluation be important in diagnosing acute
pancreatitis in dogs?

Answer 10

Left shift in neutrophils may be present even without increased WBC count

Question 11

What are some clinical and prognostic findings in dogs with suspected
extrahepatic biliary obstruction and pancreatitis?

Answer 11

Clinical and prognostic findings were reported in dogs with suspected extrahepatic biliary
obstruction and pancreatitis

Question 12

What is the role of C-reactive protein in canine acute pancreatitis?

Answer 12

C-reactive protein concentrations may be increased in canine acute pancreatitis

Question 13

What is the purpose of the clinical scoring system developed for short-term
prediction of death in dogs with acute pancreatitis?

Answer 13

To predict short-term death in dogs with acute pancreatitis

Question 14

How can fresh frozen plasma administration be evaluated in dogs with
pancreatitis?

Answer 14

Evaluation of fresh frozen plasma administration in dogs with pancreatitis was
conducted

Question 15

What are some key recommendations for the diagnosis and management of
canine pancreatitis?

Answer 15

Update on the diagnosis and management of canine pancreatitis

Question 16

What are some potential applications of experimental models and human
medicine in understanding the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis in dogs?

Answer 16

Potential applications from experimental models and human medicine to dogs in
understanding the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis

Question 17

What is the role of elastography in diagnosing acute pancreatitis in dogs?

Answer 17

Elastography is a noninvasive imaging technique that can detect differences in tissue
stiffness between healthy and diseased tissues

Question 18

How does computed tomography angiography (CTA) help in evaluating acute
pancreatitis in dogs?

Answer 18

CTA utilizes iodinated contrast material to better evaluate blood flow in organs and
surrounding tissues, providing detailed imaging of the pancreas in cases of acute
pancreatitis

Question 19

What are some of the routine clinicopathological features that can aid in the
diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in dogs?

Answer 19

● CBC findings reflecting dehydration and inflammation
● Serum biochemistry profile showing hepatic changes and potential kidney injury
● Evaluation of acute phase reactants and inflammatory cytokines