Three Cases of Canine Bile Peritonitis with Mucinous Material in Abdominal Fluid as the Prominent Cytologic Finding

Abstract

Bile peritonitis with fibrillar mucinous material in abdominal fluid has not been described previously in dogs. The material was similar to "white bile" observed in humans and experimentally in dogs as a sequela to extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction. When mucinous material is observed in abdominal fluid from dogs and the fluid bilirubin concentration is greater than twice the serum bilirubin concentration, rupture of the extrahepatic biliary tract should be suspected.

Body Cavity Fluids

“…Fluid bilirubin levels that are markedly elevated and several times than levels in serum also give support for a diagnosis of bilious effusion (Owens et al, 2003).…”

Body Cavity Fluids

“…6-18B-D). Fluid bilirubin concentrations are several times higher than serum concentrations, a finding that is 100% diagnostic (Ludwig et al, 1997;Owens et al, 2003). Fluid bilirubin concentrations are several times higher than serum concentrations, a finding that is 100% diagnostic (Ludwig et al, 1997;Owens et al, 2003).…”

“…In addition, it is an infrequent accompaniment to diaphragmatic hernia from any cause in the dog and cat. In addition to the typical appearance of bilious effusions, acellular, amorphous, fibrillar blue-grey mucinous (Owens et al, 2003). When associated with diaphragmatic hernia, leakage of bile occurs when liver is trapped in the diaphragmatic rent and there is rupture or necrosis of the gall bladder or common bile duct.…”

“…When the results of direct trauma are mainly in the biliary system, leakage of bile is virtually always restricted to the peritoneal cavity, with a resulting peritonitis. This material has been termed "white bile" (Owens et al, 2003). In this circumstance, both peritonitis and pleuritis can result.…”

The Liver

“…93E) that is often referred to as "white bile." This fluid from the gallbladder or common bile duct has been shown to be mucinous in the dog (Owens et al, 2003). An incidental finding is the presence of exfoliated columnar bili ary epithelium in bile ( Fig.…”