Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Intrahepatic venous collaterals linked to shunt or vein narrowing
By Seller, Stephanie et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2022·The Animal Medical Center, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Intrahepatic venous collaterals in dogs with congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunts are associated with focal shunt or hepatic vein narrowing.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old Beagle was diagnosed with a congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (IHPSS), which is a condition where blood bypasses the liver, leading to various health issues. During imaging tests, the vet found multiple smaller blood vessels around the main shunt, known as intrahepatic venous collaterals (IVCs). These IVCs were linked to narrowing in the shunt or the vein draining the liver. Understanding this connection can help vets better assess and treat dogs with IHPSS, ensuring they receive the appropriate care for their condition.
People also search for: dog portosystemic shunt treatment · Beagle liver shunt symptoms · intrahepatic venous collaterals in dogs
Abstract
Dogs with congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (IHPSS) occasionally have multiple smaller intrahepatic, tortuous blood vessels surrounding the primary shunt. This study was a retrospective, observational design that was also descriptive and anatomic in nature. Objectives were to characterize vascular morphology in IHPSS dogs presenting with intrahepatic venous collaterals (IVCs) relative to IHPSS dogs without IVCs, and to propose reasons for IVC development. The authors hypothesized that (a) IVCs develop secondary to flow resistance around a focal area of a shunt or draining hepatic vein narrowing and (b) the presence of IVC is associated with portal vessel development before intervention. Anonymized CT angiograms (CTA) and fluoroscopic portovenograms (FPV) of dogs with IHPSS were evaluated for the presence of IVCs, focal narrowing within the IHPSS, and intrahepatic portal vessels >5 mm long. Eleven of 47 (23%) dogs had IVCs identified. IVCs were significantly associated with focal narrowing in the shunt or draining hepatic vein on CTA (P = 0.039) and FPV (P = 0.021). IVCs were not associated with the presence of intrahepatic portal branches >5 mm long on portovenography (P = 0.42) or CTA (P = 0.49). Focal narrowing in the shunt (circumferential soft tissue narrowing >20% of the shunt diameter) was significantly associated with intrahepatic portal branches >5 mm long on both modalities (P < 0.001). IVCs are associated with focal narrowing of the shunt or draining hepatic vein in dogs with IHPSS. IVC should be distinguished from other conditions when evaluating a CTA for canine IHPSS.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34637564/