Case Study

Gallbladder mucocele in a 12 year old FS Beagle dog

A 12-year-old FS Beagle was presented with a history of having elevated liver enzyme activity and recent onset of anorexia and acute onset of vomiting. Physical examination was within normal limits. Abnormalities on CBC and blood chemistry were leukocytosis and worsening ALP and ALT activity.

A 12-year-old FS Beagle was presented with a history of having elevated liver enzyme activity and recent onset of anorexia and acute onset of vomiting. Physical examination was within normal limits. Abnormalities on CBC and blood chemistry were leukocytosis and worsening ALP and ALT activity.

DX

Severe gallbladder mucocele, positive Murphy sign, inflammation.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Severe gallbladder mucocele with positive Murphy sign and inflammation.

Image Interpretation

The gallbladder in this patient presented severe dilation with suspended immobile debris that continued into the cystic duct and common bile duct. The common bile duct measured 1.3cm with ill defined omentum and inflammation in the area where the cystic duct meets the common bile duct. No overt free fluid was noted at this time. The liver presented largely age related changes most consistent with gallbladder mucocele and cholecystitis.

Outcome

A cholecystectomy with lavage of the common bile duct and the possibility of common bile duct deviation was recommended & performed.

Comments

No video is available on this patient.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

Liver pathology- vacuolar hepatopathy, Cushing’s disease, toxins, infectious, neoplasia; Gallbladder pathology – infection, obstruction, mucocele; GI pathology – obstruction, neoplasia, IBD/foreign body; pancreatic pathology – pancreatitis