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Portostystemic shunt in a 5yr old, MN DSH

Case Study

Portostystemic shunt in a 5yr old, MN DSH

A 5-year-old MN DSH with a history of portosystemic shunt that had been diagnosed 3 years ago and was doing well with medical management was presented for evaluation of hyporexia and diarrhea over the last month. Elevated ALT was present on serum biochemistry.

A 5-year-old MN DSH with a history of portosystemic shunt that had been diagnosed 3 years ago and was doing well with medical management was presented for evaluation of hyporexia and diarrhea over the last month. Elevated ALT was present on serum biochemistry.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Post hepatic obstruction owing to biliary calculi.
Portostystemic shunt with a pattern consistent with gastroazygos shunt measuring 0.8-1.0 cm.
Mild hepatic remodeling and lobar biliary calculi.
Age related renal changes.

Image Interpretation

The liver was subnormal in size with increased portal markings. Extrahepatic portosystemic shunt noted in this patient. It decourses dorsally into the region of an azygos entry. This is consistent with gastroazygos shunt and measured approximately 1.0 cm in width. The gallbladder presented excessive debris and sand/small calculus accumulation. Gallbladder congestion was noted. Gallbladder calculus measured approximately 0.8 cm. Echogenic debris or possible tissue proliferation was noted in the gallbladder in this patient. There is a minor potential for gallbladder neoplasia, yet this is most likely coalesced bile. The common bile duct in this patient presented a 0.71 cm calculus along with smaller calculi. The common bile duct measured 0.6 cm. Lobar biliary calculi were also present.

The kidneys revealed largely normal size and structure, corticomedullary definition and ratio (cortex 1/3 of medulla) were essentially maintained with some age related loss of curvilinear patterns. The cortices presented largely uniform texture with some age related echogenic changes that are not likely of clinical significance at this time unless inflammatory sediment or proteinuria is present. Medullary echogenicity differed distinctly from that of the cortex and no evidence or dilation could be seen. The capsules were acceptably uniform for this age patient without dramatic irregularities. Mineralization was noted in the kidneys. The right kidney measured 4.3 cm and the left kidney measured 4.16 cm.

DX

Post hepatic obstruction owing to biliary calculi.

Outcome

Surgical intervention in two separate systems is necessary in this case. One is to liberate the common bile duct with cholecystoduodenostomy or similar procedure with liberation of the common bile duct and gallbladder from calculi. Concurrent ameroid constrictor placement could be considered at this point given that surgical intervention is necessary. Recent bile acid profile is essential. Very guarded prognosis.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

Progression of liver shunt
Hepatopathy – cirrhosis, cholangio-hepatitis complex, neoplasia
Pancreas – pancreatitis, neoplasia
Intestine – inflammatory bowel disease, dietary hypersensitivity, lymphoma

Patient Information

Patient Name : Omar Hester
Gender : Male, Neutered
Species : Feline
Type of Imaging : Ultrasound
Liz Wuz Here : Yes

Clinical Signs

  • Anorexia
  • Diarrhea

History

  • Portosystemic Shunt

Images

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Blood Chemistry

  • ALT (SGPT), High

Clinical Signs

  • Anorexia
  • Diarrhea