Case Study

Pancreatic cystic degeneration in a 15 year old FS cat

A 15-year-old female cat was presented for evaluation of vomiting and not eating.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Likely pancreatic necrosis or pancreatitis with secondary cystic degeneration. Possible pancreatic carcinoma.

Image Interpretation

The left limb of the pancreas revealed mixed echogenic and microcystic mass that measured 1.84 x 1.47 cm with significant power Doppler signals that indicate blood flow. The pancreatic mass revealed a pericapsular inflammatory pattern.

DX

Pancreatic cystic degeneration

Outcome

None

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

GI disease (neoplasia, IBD, foreign body, ulceration, Helicobacter gastritis), pancreatic disease (pancreatitis, neoplasia), hepatic disease (neoplasia, cholangio-hepatitis complex).

Sampling

Fluid from the pancreatic cyst was relatively non-descript. Analysis of the fluid revealed a WBC count (x10*9/l) of 0.255, RBC count (x10*12/l) of 0.001, Total Protein of 10 g/l. The fluid was a slightly cloudy, very pale straw color, with a S.G of 1.011.