Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Using trans-splenic portal scintigraphy to diagnose portosystemic
By Morandi, Federica et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2005·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Use of 99mTCO4(-) trans-splenic portal scintigraphy for diagnosis of portosystemic shunts in 28 dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 28 dogs suspected of having portosystemic shunts (abnormal blood vessels that bypass the liver) underwent a special imaging test called trans-splenic portal scintigraphy. This test involved injecting a small amount of a radioactive substance into the spleen to visualize blood flow and identify any abnormal connections. The results were confirmed through surgery or ultrasound, and while most dogs were successfully diagnosed, a few tests were inconclusive due to injection issues. Overall, this method proved effective in identifying different types of shunts, helping veterinarians plan appropriate treatments for affected dogs.
People also search for: dog portosystemic shunt symptoms · dog liver shunt diagnosis · dog ultrasound for liver problems
Abstract
Ultrasound-guided percutaneous trans-splenic portal scintigraphy (TSPS) using 99mTcO4(-) has been used to image the portal venous system in normal dogs. Compared with per-rectal portal scintigraphy, it provides higher count density, consistent nuclear venograms of the splenic and portal vein, and significantly decreased radiation exposures. This paper describes the use of TSPS for the diagnosis of portosystemic shunts in 28 dogs. TSPS was performed injecting 70 +/- 28 MBq of 99mTcO4(-) (mean +/- SD) into the splenic parenchyma with ultrasound guidance. A dynamic acquisition at a frame rate of four frames/s for 5 min was initiated after placement of the needle and approximately 2s prior to injection. All dogs had diagnoses confirmed via exploratory laparotomy or ultrasonographic identification of the shunting vessel(s). Three studies (10.7%) were nondiagnostic because of intraperitoneal rather than intrasplenic injection of the radionuclide. Three pathways were recognized on the scintigraphic images: (1) portoazygos shunts--the 99mTcO4(-) bolus traveled dorsally, running parallel to the spine and entering the heart craniodorsally; (2) single portocaval or splenocaval shunts--the 99mTcO4(-) bolus ran from the area of the portal vein/splenic vein junction in a linear fashion toward the caudal vena cava entering the heart caudally; (3) internal thoracic shunt-the 99mTcO4 bolus traveled ventrally along the thorax and abdomen entering the cranial aspect of the heart. Single and multiple shunts were easily distinguished. There were no distinguishing features between single intra and extrahepatic portocaval shunts.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15869161/