Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ultrasound signs of pancreatitis in cats with high pancreatic lipase
By Williams, J M et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2013·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Ultrasonographic findings of the pancreas in cats with elevated serum pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 35 cats showing signs of pancreatitis, such as vomiting or abdominal pain, underwent abdominal ultrasounds and blood tests to check for elevated pancreatic lipase levels. The ultrasound revealed that certain features, like thickened pancreatic tissue and changes in surrounding fat, were common in cats diagnosed with pancreatitis. Specifically, the presence of hyperechoic (bright) fat around the pancreas was noted in about 68% of the cases. These findings can help veterinarians diagnose pancreatitis more accurately, leading to better treatment options for affected cats.
People also search for: cat pancreatitis symptoms · cat vomiting treatment · elevated pancreatic lipase in cats
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pancreatitis is a common disease in cats that is difficult to diagnose. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonographic changes of the pancreas with serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) as the standard for diagnosis of pancreatitis. ANIMALS: 35 cats with clinical signs consistent with pancreatitis with an abdominal ultrasound examination and serum fPLI concentration measured within 3 days of the ultrasound. METHODS: Retrospective study: Pancreatic thickness, pancreatic margination, pancreatic echogenicity, and peripancreatic fat echogenicity were evaluated. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated with an elevated serum fPLI concentration indicative of pancreatitis as the standard for diagnosis. RESULTS: Serum fPLI was elevated and diagnostic for pancreatitis in 19 of 35 cats. The single ultrasound characteristic with the highest sensitivity was hyperechoic peripancreatic fat at 68% (95% confidence interval = 44-87%), indicating a moderate probability that cats with pancreatitis will have this abnormality on ultrasonographic examination. Specificity was >90% for each of increased pancreatic thickness, abnormal pancreatic margin, and hyperechoic peripancreatic fat. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound were 84% (95% confidence interval = 60-97%) and 75% (95% confidence interval = 48-93%), respectively, in cats with elevated serum fPLI indicative of pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The presence of a thick left limb of the pancreas, severely irregular pancreatic margins, and hyperechoic peripancreatic fat in cats with appropriate clinical signs and elevated serum fPLI are highly supportive of pancreatitis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23731243/