Liver and Gallbladder Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is assessed to determine liver size?
Gastric axis
Which imaging modalities are used for evaluating liver and gall bladder pathology?
Radiography, ultrasound, CT
What should be recognized on radiographs regarding the gall bladder?
Location of the gall bladder to identify abnormal opacities
What is the role of ultrasound in liver evaluation?
To look ‘inside’ the liver, assess parenchyma, gallbladder, and blood vessels
How is the caudal margin of the liver identified?
Follow the liver caudally from the diaphragm until gas is seen in the stomach
What imaging modality is better for assessing liver size?
Radiographs
What types of liver pathology can ultrasound identify?
Focal disease, gallbladder issues, vascular issues
What is the significance of CT in liver assessment?
Good for assessing parenchymal disease and determining surgical resectability
What is hepatomegaly?
Enlargement of the liver
What does a rounded caudoventral margin indicate?
Hepatomegaly
What is the normal gastric axis?
Line between the fundus and pylorus, assessed on lateral view
What changes in the gastric axis indicate liver size variations?
Changes in location of the pylorus affect the axis, cardiac is fixed
What factors can affect liver size interpretation?
- Radiograph orientation * Animal conformation * Age * Obesity or geriatric status
What should be done if hepatomegaly is suspected?
Check bloodwork, ultrasound liver, test for Cushing’s disease, perform FNA
What is microhepatia?
Reduction in liver size
What are potential differential diagnoses for microhepatia?
- Cirrhosis * Portosystemic shunt
What is a portosystemic shunt?
Congenital vascular malformation allowing blood to bypass the liver
What opacity is the normal liver?
Soft tissue opacity
What are common causes of hepatic abscess?
- Diabetes mellitus * Biliary disease * Pancreatitis * Neoplasia
What is a gall bladder cholelith?
Calculi in the gall bladder
What does a thick gall bladder wall indicate?
- Hypoalbuminaemia * Cholecystitis * Portal hypertension * Anaphylaxis
What characterizes gall bladder mucocoele?
Semi-solid mucoid material replacing normal bile in the gall bladder
What is the appearance of gall bladder mucocoele on imaging?
Only seen on ultrasound with a ‘kiwi fruit appearance’
What is the significance of gall bladder sludge?
Mobile sludge seen in dogs and cats and is often of no significance
