Radiology and pathology in canine acalculous cholecystitis

Although the value of hepatobiliary scan and ultrasonography are well established in calculous cholecystitis, their role in acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is less certain. This study assesses the diagnostic reliability of these tests in AAC chemically induced in 10 dogs with rutin, a compound known to induce AAC. Ultrasonography demonstrated pericholecystic fluid or wall thickening in 8 of 10 dogs. Hepatobiliary scans were abnormal in only 2 of 9 dogs. Pathologic evaluation showed significant abnormalities in all gallbladders. Our studies confirm the usefulness of ultrasonography in diagnosing AAC and suggest caution in using a normal hepatobiliary scan to exclude the diagnosis of AAC.