Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ultrasound for liver disease in pets - what to know
By Biller, D S et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·1992·Department of Surgical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Ultrasonography of diffuse liver disease. A review.
Plain-English summary
This study discusses how ultrasound can help diagnose liver disease in pets, even when X-rays look normal. When using ultrasound, the liver may show different appearances compared to other organs, indicating issues like fat buildup or inflammation. The liver can look brighter or darker on the ultrasound depending on the type of problem it has. However, to confirm the diagnosis, a biopsy (taking a small tissue sample) and further examination under a microscope are necessary. In summary, while ultrasound is useful, it should be combined with other tests for a complete diagnosis.
Abstract
Radiographically, the liver may appear normal even if severely diseased. Ultrasonography can be an important adjunct in the evaluation of diffuse parenchymal hepatic disease. Diffuse liver disease appears ultrasonographically as a change in liver echogenicity from normal when compared with the renal cortex or spleen. Diffuse liver disease can be characterized as either hyperechoic due to fatty change, steroid hepatopathy, and cirrhosis or hypoechoic due to congestion, suppurative hepatitis, and lymphoma. Ultrasonographic diagnosis of diffuse liver disease should be substantiated by biopsy and histopathologic evaluation.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1588544/