Ultrasonography in the diagnosis of congenital portosystemic shunts in dogs

Abstract

The value of ultrasonographic examination in the diagnosis of congenital portosystemic shunts was assessed in 36 dogs, using the right lateral approach. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 0.74, 1.0, and 0.86 respectively. The conclusion is that ultrasonography is highly specific and reasonably sensitive in diagnosing congenital portosystemic shunts in dogs.

Survival and Prognostic Indicators for Dogs With Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts: 32 Cases (1990–2000)

“…Angiogram has been used to confirm the diagnosis of a portosystemic shunt, to identify shunt location (ie, right, central, or left division of the portal vein), and to establish a prognosis before surgery 3,4,8,11,15,42 . Because nuclear scintigraphy and ultrasound can be used to confirm the diagnosis of an intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, 13,35,39–41 angiograms are not needed for diagnosis. We used median sternotomy and diaphragmatic incision combined with median celiotomy to increase exposure of the liver and its vascular supply 8,15,38 .…”

Ultrasonographic identification and characterization of congenital portosystemic shunts and portal hypertensive disorders in dogs and cats

“…7,8 Determining the blood ammonia level before performing an abdominal ultrasound examination can greatly increase the positive and negative predictive values of ultrasonography in finding the anomalous vein since chronic hyperammonemia can only be caused by a few diseases such as congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSSs), acquired portosystemic collaterals (APSCs), or urea cycle enzyme deficiency. 9,[11][12][13] This knowledge is important not only for the surgeon, but also for predicting the prognosis. by ultrasound) is crucial because CPSSs is the only disease that requires sur-gical treatment; the other two do not.…”

Diagnostic Value of Fasting Plasma Ammonia and Bile Acid Concentrations in the Identification of Portosystemic Shunting in Dogs

“…Diagnostic tools and examinations used to confirm the presence of portosystemic shunting were the rectal ammonia tolerance test, laparotomy, postmortem examination, calculation of the degree of shunting by scintigraphy with 99m Tc-labeled macroaggregates, histology of 16-gauge (G) needle-biopsies of the liver (only in parenchymal liver diseases resulting in hypertension and the formation of collateral circulation), and Doppler ultrasonography (only in arteriovenous fistulae). [23][24][25][26][27][28][29] The rectal ammonia tolerance test, laparotomy, calculation of the degree of shunting by scintigraphy with 99m Tc-labeled macroaggregates, and postmortem examination were used to exclude portosystemic shunting.…”