Case Study

03_00031 Kelsey L Hepatic lymphosarcoma Do Not Complete For Research Only

An 8-year-old FS Rhodesian Ridgeback presented for anorexia and mild weight loss. Physical examination revealed mild muscle wasting but was otherwise normal. The preliminary blood chemistry analysis demonstrated mildly elevated ALT, mildly elevated AST, mildly elevated SAP, and mildly elevated bilirubin with isosthenuria and 3+ bilirubinuria. The PT value was slightly elevated. The patient was non-responsive to 3 days of IV medical therapy.

An 8-year-old FS Rhodesian Ridgeback presented for anorexia and mild weight loss. Physical examination revealed mild muscle wasting but was otherwise normal. The preliminary blood chemistry analysis demonstrated mildly elevated ALT, mildly elevated AST, mildly elevated SAP, and mildly elevated bilirubin with isosthenuria and 3+ bilirubinuria. The PT value was slightly elevated. The patient was non-responsive to 3 days of IV medical therapy.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Aggressive inflammatory hepatopathy and infiltrative neoplasia.

Image Interpretation

The sonogram demonstrated a diffusely and mildly hypoechoic parenchyma. In the far field, the caudal serosal margin is distended (arrows) and mildly irregular, consistent with enlargement likely secondary to infiltrative disease. The portal walls are mildly increased in echogenicity. An acute inflammatory hepatopathy also could be considered; however, irregular distension of serosal surfaces is not a common feature unless a preexisting underlying nodular component is present.