Case Study

Hepatic vacuolar changes, lipidosis, and cell necrosis in a 10 year old FS DSH cat

This 10 year old FS DLH cat presented for lethargy and anorexia. Physical examination revealed mild dehydration, poor coat quality, and mild jaundice. Blood analysis revealed moderately elevated SAP and moderately elevated total bilirubin.

This 10 year old FS DLH cat presented for lethargy and anorexia. Physical examination revealed mild dehydration, poor coat quality, and mild jaundice. Blood analysis revealed moderately elevated SAP and moderately elevated total bilirubin.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

These findings are consistent with infiltrative disease, most notably hepatic lipidosis or lymphosarcoma.

Image Interpretation

The sonogram demonstrates a uniform, markedly echogenic, mildly distally attenuating (arrow), normally smooth and homogeneous hepatic parenchyma. Generalized hepatic enlargement with a distended, rounded serosal contour is present.

DX

Hepatic lipidosis

Outcome

The patient responded well to a liver support protocol.

Comments

No video is available on this patient.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

Liver pathology: Hepatic lipidosis, hepatitis, obstructive biliary disease, neoplasia; Pancreatic pathology: pancreatitis; GI pathology: IBD.

Sampling

23-gauge US-guided FNA demonstrated multiple hepatic cell clusters with significant foamy vacuolar changes and cell necrosis. Hepatic lipidosis was the cytologic diagnosis.