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Comparative Study
. 2009 Jun;11(6):492-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.jfms.2008.11.007. Epub 2008 Dec 18.

Evaluation of endosonography as a new diagnostic tool for feline pancreatitis

Ariane Schweighauser  1 , Frédéric Gaschen, Jörg Steiner, Karin Allenspach, Thierry Francey, Lorrie Gaschen
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Evaluation of endosonography as a new diagnostic tool for feline pancreatitis

Ariane Schweighauser et al. J Feline Med Surg. 2009 Jun.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate endosonography (EUS) as a potential diagnostic tool for feline pancreatitis. Eleven healthy cats and six cats diagnosed with pancreatitis based on an increased serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) concentration were included. Transabdominal ultrasound (AUS) and EUS were performed in all cats. The widths of both pancreatic limbs and echogenicity and homogenicity were assessed by AUS and EUS. Finally, findings from both modalities were subjectively compared. In the healthy cats, the right pancreatic limb was significantly smaller on EUS compared to AUS. Also, subjectively, general visualization of the normal pancreas was superior with EUS and, the pancreatic margins and parenchyma could be resolved better with EUS in all sick patients. In this study, EUS findings did not alter the diagnosis in six cats with pancreatitis when compared to AUS. However, EUS may be useful in cases where AUS fails due to obesity, hyperechoic mesentery, or excessive intestinal gas.

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Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
Width of the right pancreatic limb in millimeters measured by AUS compared to EUS in healthy cats (n=5, P=0.014).
Fig 2.
Fig 2.
Width of the left pancreatic limb in millimeters measured by AUS compared to EUS in healthy cats (n=7, P=0.62).
Fig 3.
Fig 3.
Width of the left pancreatic limb in millimeters measured by AUS compared to EUS in sick cats (n=5, P=0.75).
Fig 4.
Fig 4.
Width of the left and the right pancreatic limb in millimeters measured by AUS and EUS in healthy cats (white bars) compared to sick cats (gray bars).
Fig 5.
Fig 5.
Right pancreatic limb in a normal cat examined with AUS (a) and EUS (b). Note the better delineation with EUS and the discrepancy in size between the two methods.
Fig 6.
Fig 6.
Left pancreatic limb of an affected cat examined with AUS (a) and EUS (b). Arrows mark the improved delineation of the pancreatic borders. Improved visualization of the nodules is evident.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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