Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Magnetic resonance imaging findings of hepatic encephalopathy in a dog with a portosystemic shunt.
- Journal:
- The Journal of veterinary medical science
- Year:
- 2012
- Authors:
- Moon, So-Jeung et al.
- Affiliation:
- BK21 Basic & Diagnostic Veterinary Specialist Program for Animal Diseases and Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine · South Korea
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 6-year-old Shih Tzu was brought in because it was having seizures that came in clusters. Doctors used special imaging tests and found changes in the dog's brain, along with a condition called a portosystemic shunt, which is an abnormal blood vessel that can affect liver function. This led to a diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy, a brain condition caused by liver issues. After starting treatment to lower ammonia levels in the blood, the dog's neurological symptoms began to improve gradually. Overall, the treatment worked well for this dog.
Abstract
A 6-year-old ShihTzu presented with tonic-clonic cluster seizure. T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images showed bilateral diffuse hyperintense lesions at the cerebral cortex with enlarged sulci. Computed tomography revealed a portosystemic shunt (PSS) and azygos continuation. Based on the clinical signs, blood examinations and diagnostic images, the dog was diagnosed with hepatic encephalopathy secondary to PSS. The neurologic signs were gradually improved after medical therapy for hyperammonemia. This is the first report of hyperintensity of the cerebral cortex on T2-weighted MR images associated with acute hepatic encephalopathy in a dog.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22020150/