Hepatography.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Canine Hepatology

Background:

• Hepatography is crucial for diagnosing liver conditions in dogs.
• Existing methods may have limitations in visualizing canine liver parenchyma and vasculature.
• Accurate imaging of liver damage is essential for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a new method for performing hepatography in dogs.
• To analyze hepatograms obtained with different contrast media in normal and diseased canine livers.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the described technique for assessing liver health.

Main Methods:

• Contrast medium infusion into the external jugular vein, superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, and hepatic veins.
• Acquisition of hepatograms following contrast administration.
• Comparative analysis of imaging in healthy dogs versus dogs with parenchymatous liver damage.
• Utilization of diverse contrast agents to optimize visualization.

Main Results:

• The described infusion technique successfully visualizes the canine liver vasculature and parenchyma.
• Differences in contrast enhancement patterns were observed between normal and damaged liver tissues.
• Specific contrast media demonstrated varying degrees of efficacy in highlighting pathological changes.
• The method provides detailed hepatograms for diagnostic purposes.

Conclusions:

• The novel hepatography method offers a valuable tool for canine liver imaging.
• This technique aids in differentiating normal liver tissue from parenchymatous damage.
• Further research can explore optimal contrast agents and protocols for specific canine liver diseases.